Rags-to-riches story is over: A Glory Mill paper roll

More than 250 workers were told last week they would lose their jobs at the Felix Schoeller paper mill in Glory Mill Lane, Wooburn Green, after its German owner decided to pull out of the area and relocate to its homeland.

Barely three years after buying the paper mill, the German manufacturing giants blamed the economic crises in south-east Asia, Russia and Latin America for falling profit margins and low prices.

Dr Bernhard Klofat, vice-president of Felix Schoeller, said: "It is an extremely sad day and a bitter blow.

"I very much regret having to take this decision."

Workers wept and cursed as they left the factory gates last Wednesday, but many would not speak publicly after being told by company bosses not to talk to the press.

A few, however, broke ranks. One said he was sickened by the behaviour of the company.

He said: "All we feel is overwhelming bitterness towards Felix Schoeller for kicking us out of our jobs."

Another tearful worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was devastated by the news.

She said: "I wouldn't trust the Germans as far as I could throw them. I will be selling my German car immediately.

"I've worked here for nearly 20 years and I'm gutted that the last paper mill in Bucks is closing," she added. "This is a real kick in the teeth for the community and everyone who works here."

Ian Cummings, the branch secretary of the Graphical, Paper and Media Union, said: "It is bitterly disappointing news. It's the end of a slice of history and it will have a devastating effect on everyone who works there and on the local community."

He added: "We are going to present every argument we can to keep the mill open. If we can't win, we certainly would want to reopen negotiations on the redundancy agreement."

He will be meeting with members next week before going back to the company.

The decline in manufacturing in South Bucks began in the 1960s when major firms such as Castle Brothers and Birches & Glenister closed down.

By the 1990s the area had witnessed many job losses in traditional industries in the Wycombe area. In 1992 more than 800 workers lost their jobs when furniture giant G Plan decided to move out of the area to set up business in Wiltshire.

Factories in Leigh Street, Spring Gardens and Coronation Road, in High Wycombe, were shut down seven years ago after management decided to pull out of the town because of low profitability.

In 1994 DMI Fabrications in Halifax Road, Cressex, High Wycombe announced the loss of more than 100 jobs after deciding to move its base to South Wales.

In October 1997 Rusch Manufacturing (UK), also based in Halifax Road, closed its doors with the loss of 50 jobs after deciding to move to Northern Ireland.

Mark Newell, the managing director of Walters Microsystems Ltd in Lincoln Road, Cressex Industrial Estate, High Wycombe, invited Wycombe MP Sir Ray Whitney to speak to him on Friday to discuss the pitfalls of setting up a business in High Wycombe.

Mr Newell, whose company employs more than 200 workers, said: "It is a great shame for the whole community when a major company like Felix Schoeller pull out.

"I told Sir Ray that I thought companies in High Wycombe should get more help and support in Government subsidies and support grants."

He said it would not surprise him if the exodus of companies from Buckinghamshire continued if more Government money was not put on the table.

Community leaders expressed their sadness at the loss of more than 250 jobs from the 800-year-old mill.

Wycombe district councillor Jeff Nagle (Lib Dem, The Wooburns) said he could not believe the news of Felix Schoeller's closure.

He said: "This comes as a massive shock to me but it must be so much worse for the 250 workers who have lost their jobs.

"Most of the workers will probably never find jobs in the same kind of work."

Vice-chairman of Wooburn Parish Council, Cllr John Dalton, said he was "gutted" by the closure.

He said: "This is another nail in the coffin for British industry."

James Elles, MEP for Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire East, said he was incredibly sad the German company had decided to pull out of High Wycombe.

He said: "I am very sad that paper will no longer be manufactured locally, but more particularly there is sadness for those who will lose their jobs."

Wooburn parish councillor Christine Pow said the closure of the paper mill would create a big hole in the social life of Wooburn Green.

She said: "The saddest moment will come when they tear the chimney down.

"It has been part of the history of the area for as long as anyone can remember."

The closure of production at the mill, which employs a total of 310 people, will be phased in over the next 18 months and some of the 250 staff affected could be offered jobs in Germany or the USA.

The managing director of Felix Schoeller, Gerhard Mulder, said: "We will endeavour to alleviate the problem of closure as much as possible.

"I am hopeful that some employees will accept other jobs at the company's mills at Weissenborn, Germany, or at Pulaski in the USA."

Research and development and marketing will continue on the site, but the paper machines will be brought to a total standstill by next summer with the loss of at least 250 jobs.

Discussions are currently under way to sell the 22-acre site for redevelopment. The group's marketing and research and development departments will lease back premises at Wooburn Green.

Detailed discussions with employees and union leaders are expected to begin within the next few weeks.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.