BOSSES at one Herefordshire company have now confirmed that all manufacturing will cease at its county site.

Denco grew into one of the city's biggest employers – and most well-known business names – when it made air conditioning systems from Holmer Road in the 1970s.

But last week HR Manager Claire Knight confirmed that "a restructure has been implemented due to a new strategy to refocus the manufacturing division of the global business".

Speaking on behalf of GEA Heat Exchangers, Denco Happel, she said that this would result in manufacturing ceasing at the company's Moreton-on-Lugg site.

When Denco announced in 2003 that it was making the short move up the A49 to its new premises on the Moreton Business Park, the company employed 250 people.

It is understood that number reduced dramatically – especially after internal changes led to more production staff being let go in 2012.

The Hereford Times reported earlier this month that 23 employees would be made redundant on Christmas Eve and, although not confirming any numbers, Ms Knight did say that staff consultation on proposed changes have now been concluded.

This newspaper spoke to one of those employees being made redundant who said the changes had been caused as Denco Happel moved work overseas.

He said staff were first told more than two months ago that their jobs were in danger – despite there being no shortage of work available at the Herefordshire factory.

And the employee, who did not want to be named, said the worst possible outcome was later confirmed when they were informed work would be transferred to Denco Happel factories in the Czech Republic to "save money on staff costs".

Denco Happel has its headquarters in Herne, Germany, with production sites based in Turkey, China and India in addition to Herefordshire and the Czech Republic.

Share article The employee said all manufacturing staff would be made redundant, but office staff would stay on site.

He added that it was believed the factory would be used for storage but no more air conditioning units would be made in Herefordshire.