News

500 LOCAL JOBS TO GO

Shepway is bracing itself for over 500 job cuts following an announcement by aerospace-to-medical equipment maker Smiths Group in Hythe to shed 534 of its manufacturing jobs to Mexico.

The company said they plan to end manufacturing at the Smiths Medical plant at Hythe in Kent within two years.

The Hythe headquarters of Smiths Medical International, employing about 220 people in research and development, finance, marketing and other support services will stay open and the company plans to create a European service centre in the town.

Smiths said the move is part of a rationalisation programme following its acquisition of Medex, the medical device manufacturerer and service provider, in March 2005.