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Kelman Engineering closure a ‘body blow’ for Angus

Chris Hardy, Courier.  PIC  SHOWS THE DESERTED PREMISES OF KELMAN ENGINEERING,  IN BRECHIN. SEE MONTROSE COPY.
Chris Hardy, Courier. PIC SHOWS THE DESERTED PREMISES OF KELMAN ENGINEERING, IN BRECHIN. SEE MONTROSE COPY.

Brechin has been dealt an unexpected jobs blow with the closure of Kelman Engineering.

The closure of the Eastmill Road site in Brechin, along with the company’s principal operation and headquarters in Turriff, was announced to the workforce on Wednesday when they were told to take their tools home.

In Brechin the company was seen as a saviour 18 months ago when it took over the ailing Matrix Engineered Systems and rescued 70 jobs, with managing director Mark Kelman hoping he might manage to employ even more people.

Since then it is understood the number of Brechin jobs had diminished to 30-40, and there are a similar number affected by the closure in Turriff.

Angus MP Mike Weir expressed disappointment at the announcement.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the employees of the company who face an uncertain time,” he said.

“I had been involved with the company in trying to find a solution that would have prevented this situation, but sadly it proved impossible to do so.

“Clearly many manufacturing businesses are having a very tough time in the current economic climate, but skilled workers such as those employed at Kelmans are vital to the local economy if we are to sustain a recovery.

“I know that the Scottish Government will be deploying their PACE team to help employees and it is vital that as many as possible are able to find new jobs in the local economy.”

Kelman Engineering offered a wide range of civil and general industrial fabrication, pipework fabrications, oil and gas related fabrication.

Six months ago it was trumpeting its involvement in the completion of a major contract to build a 650-tonne capacity cable laying reel drive system.

The reversal in the company’s fortunes was described as a tragedy for the town by Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville.

“It is a body blow to Angus,” she said. “I had heard recently that it had been losing a few of its workforce and this latest announcement must be worrying for them and their families.

Council leader Bob Myles said it was disappointing such a recent good news story had turned sour.

When Kelman Engineering took over Matrix Engineered Systems it bought into a piece of Brechin’s distinguished industrial heritage.

Matrix Engineered Systems was born from the break-up of the former Matrix Engineering which for more than 60 years was a major engineering base.

Matrix International, which is completely independent, continues to operate successfully from an adjacent site.