Novelis jobs hope in partial sale deal

Union chiefs today said part of a Shropshire factory was on the verge of being sold in a deal which would save about 100 jobs.

Caroline Crolley, Black Country regional industrial officer for the Unite union, said legal papers were being drawn up for the sale of Novelis in Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth.

But she said she could not yet reveal who the potential buyer of the printed confectionery packaging section of the factory was. Three prospective buyers have toured the factory.

But the union official said: “We are now aware that there are legal papers being drawn up for the sale of part of the company.”

She said she was not able to reveal the name of the buyer until the sale was completed.

She said: “We will be looking at saving about 100 jobs. At the end of the month we should be celebrating saving some of the site.

“At least it is better news. I have always been confident we could save at least some of it and that is very much 99 per cent certain.”

She said the interested buyer had indicated it wanted to keep operations in the town.

“The company has initially agreed the purchase with one of the companies involved,” she added.

She said the potential buyer was now looking at the figures and finances of Novelis.