Johnson Tiles, one of the UK’s last remaining volume tile manufacturers, has announced a major restructuring programme.
A statement released to the local media by parent company Norcros Group (Holdings) Ltd., states that around 90 jobs will be lost as part of the restructuring. The company based in Tunstall, Stoke, employs about 400 people at the site. It was reported locally that the staff were informed this week that nearly a quarter of the workforce were to lose their jobs.
The company says it is starting a 30 day consultation process, concerning the job losses, and it expects this to be completed by 7 April.
Industry sources suggest that the restructuring is part of a five-year programme to readdress the tile formats and sizes manufactured at Tunstall, leading the company in the short term to reduce its manufacturing capacity and increase the number of tiles being bought in from overseas.
Johnson Tiles is the largest remaining UK manufacturer of ceramic tiles, with a manufacturing history in Tunstall going back to 1901. Today the company offers a full range of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and glass tiles to markets at home and overseas. However it announced a 9 per cent drop in sales turnover last year.
The Chairman of the Tunstall Chamber of Trade described the announcement as a “major blow” for the town.
Sister company, Norcros Adhesives, which is based on the same site, is unaffected by the changes at Johnson Tiles.
