RETHINK SAVES JELD-WEN JOBS

The firm admitted in August it was outgrowing its current site and began a search for alternatives putting the futures of 210 workers in doubt.

But bosses have submitted a plan to the company's American executives that would keep expansion local by reopening the company's deserted Thorpe Road site.

Factory manager John Seragusa said: "The plans have been drawn up and we are awaiting further news. I do know we are going to keep this factory in Melton.

"The board in America is looking at the proposal to open a second site at Thorpe Road but until it finalises it we can't say for sure.

"We decided to look at Thorpe Road because the site still belongs to us and we might as well make full use of it in these circumstances."

The Thorpe Road site, which used to make doors, was closed down earlier this year and the work transferred to Sheffield. Dozens of jobs went but many other workers were able to move to Snow Hill.

Bosses began to look at expansion after the stair

factory started to reach full capacity even after it turned a warehouse into an assembly area, creating 40 jobs, in 2003.

Mr Seragusa added: "We want to grow the business for the local area and keep this company financially stable. We want to make sure that we can go forward for the benefit of people in Melton.

"This factory is staying and I would say we are looking at quite a few jobs possibly being created at Thorpe Road, although it is still early days."

The company, which also has a window frame factory in Snow Hill, has its headquarters in Oregon, USA, and also has holdings in France, Canada, Australia, Chile and Latvia.

Melton Council's town centre champion Rob Waltham has been working with the firm to ensure the factory stays put.

He said: "This is massively important. When you've got a major employer like this it's an integral part of the local

economy. Imagine the knock-on affect if it were to move elsewhere and the jobs went.

"If the factory ever went you would end up with people

needing employment and although we haven't got high unemployment in Melton we don't have lots of vacancies either."

More news is expected in the coming weeks when American executives make a final

decision.

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