Zarah ChoudharyFareham Kelvion workers have voiced their opposition to a decision to offshore work to Poland, potentially meaning the loss of 150 jobs, according to Unite the union.
The workers manufacture heat exchangers and dry coolers for multiple industries, such as supermarkets and power stations.
Production will end today, but a small number of workers in the research and development and sales departments will remain at the site.
Kelvion began trading in 1921 in London’s Camden Town as the Searle Radiator company before moving to Quay Street in Fareham in the 1930s.
It became part of the Kelvion group after being bought by the private equity company Triton in 2014.
Malcolm Bonnett, regional officer at Unite, said: “Ending production at the site is nothing short of a betrayal of these workers by Kelvion.
“It brings to an end a proud 100-year-old history of manufacturing and will significantly impact the local economy.
“I want to recognise the efforts of our reps at Kelvion who did everything in their power to keep production in Fareham and then negotiated enhanced redundancy packages for our members when it became clear the company was intent on moving the work abroad.”
Workplace Journal contacted Kelvion for comment prior to publication.
