Close the only European factory that produces iconic British construction toys brand Meccano.
According to French reports, the plant in Calais (France) will close down by the end of the first quarter next year. This will leave its 50 employees without work.
Spin Master, Meccano’s parent company is reported to have attributed the decision to “difficult markets conditions” and “soaring costs of raw materials, and energy”.
The Canadian company stated that it had exhausted all options and was forced to make the decision to stop industrial activities at Calais by the first quarter 2024.
Spin Master has made investments of EUR7m (PS6.1m), since 2014, to “improve industrial performance and increase the competitiveness of the site”.
The statement said that the cash wasn’t enough to “unfortunately” fix the situation long-term.
Pierre-Henri Dumont, a French politician, described the decision as “intolerable”.
“Meccano tells the story of Calais. He tweeted, “We must do everything to keep activity on the site.”
Segolene Royal, a former French presidential candidate, stated that the “disappearance of the emblemmatic” factory was “sad”, since she saluted the “educational toys which develop ingenuity”.
She added, “Fight for solutions.”
According to BFM TV, the plant produces approximately four million boxes of plastic or metal parts each year – roughly one third of the brand’s products.
Next March will see the unveiling of a job safety plan.
Spin Master stated that the management’s goal is to offer individual support to all 50 employees.
“In this spirit, it will soon engage with the social partners in negotiations to determine the terms of a plan for job protection that promotes a rapid return to work.
“Finally it will remain open to all offers from potential buyers.”
Sky News reached out to Spin Master for more information.
Continue reading:
100ft bridge entirely made from Meccano breaks new world record
Calais was established in 1959, 50 years after Frank Hornby invented the Meccano Kit in England.
The brand merged with Erector in 2000 and began building together. Erector was founded in the US by Alfred Carlton Gilbert in 1913.
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