Tarmac departure from Wolves could see jobs task force established

WOLVERHAMPTON City Council may lead a ‘task force’ to help Tarmac workers affected by the company’s planned move to Solihull.

Although no move is imminent, Tarmac’s owner Anglo American is planning to shift its operations to Solihull where French concrete maker Lafarge has its base. Tarmac and Lafarge have joined forces in a £2bn merger.

The plan has left 500 workers at Tarmac’s base at Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, concerned for their future even though the move is likely to be 18 months away.

Reports locally suggests the city council will do whatever it can to assist those affected by the move and this could include setting up a task force of the type established in 2002 to help workers affected by the closure of the passenger and light truck tyres department at Goodyear.

However, it is unclear at this stage how many workers will be affected as many staff will be able to transfer over to Solihull.

Meanwhile, Lafarge and Anglo American have agreed a deal to sell a chunk of their ready-mix and aggregates businesses to Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for £285m.

The two materials giants are selling off a portfolio of cement, concrete and quarry businesses ahead of their merger, having been ordered to do so by the Competition Commission.

Birmingham law firms Eversheds and Freeth Cartwright advised Lafarge and Anglo American on the deal.