A MEDICAL plant that manufactures tubing packs used in cardiac surgery is to close its doors next Tuesday, it has been confirmed.

Terumo, based on Unity Grove, in Knowsley Village, will shut on October 31, after more than 25 years in operation.

Union GMB has expressed disappointment at the closure of the site, which had a workforce of more than 100.

The plant, Terumo’s only UK manufacturing site, produces tubing packs used in cardiac surgery. 

Blasting the decision, GMB said the Terumo workforce had “worked tirelessly through the pandemic” and that “their reward is to have their jobs taken away”.

Terumo says the closure was the conclusion of a process that began in January 2022 when the plant had around 110 workers.

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The firm says it sought to avoid any compulsory redundancies, reduce the number of redundancies and mitigate the impact of any unavoidable redundancies.

Karen Lewis, GMB organiser, said: “This loyal, majority-woman workforce made life-saving equipment for the NHS – many of them had worked at the plant since they left school. 

“They worked tirelessly through the pandemic and their reward is to have their jobs taken away so the company can make a few more quid. 

“This is another nail in the UK manufacturing coffin.” 

Ann Brady, Terumo worker, added: "To say this redundancy notice was quite a shock is an understatement.  

“Our sales, productivity and efficiency were at their peak.  

“Finding out that Terumo’s production was to be re-located to Costa Rica was quite confusing, then the reality hit home - this was simply a money-making exercise. 

”It’s been a tough 18 months since we found out our fate.  

“I can honestly say hand on heart, this has been one of the best places I have ever worked.  

“The operatives and managers alike are all amazing people. I personally will miss them all a great deal." 

What Terumo has said

When contacted by the Star, a Terumo spokesperson said employees were informed of the proposal to close the manufacturing facility in January 2022. 

It added the proposal was subject to consultation with union officials and employee representatives and that throughout, Terumo sought to avoid any compulsory redundancies, reduce the number of redundancies and mitigate the impact of any unavoidable redundancies.

When the original proposals were announced, Terumo said any proposed site closure was not anticipated until the second quarter of 2023.  

Terumo added it launched the consultation to “address competitive market challenges by revising its tubing pack manufacturing operations” and the proposal “aimed to reduce manufacturing costs, improve competitiveness, and increase sustainable investment in the business through greater returns”. 

A spokesperson for Terumo said: "It is with sadness that we are closing our Merseyside site – which has been key to Terumo’s business for 26 years – on Tuesday, October 31.

"The closure follows an extensive consultation process with employee representatives and union officials in 2022.

“It does not reflect on the performance, dedication, and hard work of our employees working there and is a result of global market challenges.

“We appreciate the professionalism of those who have continued to work tirelessly during the consultation process and beyond into 2023 and wish them every success in the future."