Stunned workers at Vector Aerospace’s Perthshire plant are struggling to come to terms with news the workforce is to be slashed by 10%.
Around 30 jobs are set to be axed at the Almondbank unit as part of what senior management have termed a “restructuring” exercise.
Most workers at the high-security site admitted the news announced on Tuesday had come as a complete surprise.
“Something like this is never good news and obviously it is pretty worrying,” one staff member told The Courier as he reported for work on Wednesday morning.
“We were told the news yesterday and it seems it is mostly management positions that are affected.”
Another employee added that the announcement had come “totally out of the blue.”
“Nobody was expecting this we had recently been told that jobs had been secured,” he said.
Officials at the plant said they were not releasing any official statement “on site” and directed all inquiries to an office in London.
A spokesman for Vector Aerospace confirmed that a “layer of management” would be eradicated as a result of the job losses.
“A restructuring programme will strengthen Vector’s ability to compete in the challenging defence sector environment in which the business operates,” he said.
“The new structure will result in the removal of a layer of management, together with some support and administration posts.
“The company has begun a consultation process with those employees who may be affected, together with the trade unions. It is anticipated that some 30 jobs may be lost out of a total workforce of 300.”
Despite the news, components director Ian Burnett insisted the firm remains “fully committed” to the Almondbank plant.
“This restructuring is essential to maintain our high level of customer service, quality and delivery against a backdrop of challenging times,” he said.
“Naturally we regret any loss of jobs here at Almondbank but we must shape our business to be as lean and flexible as possible.
“Vector remains fully committed to our Almondbank operation.”
Politicians have attacked the announcement, pointing out that it comes just four weeks after the company issued assurances over the future of threatened jobs.