Uncertain future for factory workers

Staff at Southward Engineering in Lower Hutt are facing an uncertain future.

The company was put up for sale late last year, but announced yesterday that the sale is not going ahead.

Instead, it is selling its automotive business and rationalising its mild steel and stainless steel tube businesses, moves which could involve the loss of up to 170 jobs.

Operations manager Mike Smith said if the jobs do go, the company will offer as much help as it can to the workers.

He said the job losses will be across the board from management to the shop floor.

- NEWSTALK ZB