British Ceramic Tile To Cut Shifts

London, England, June 22, 2011 -- British Ceramic Tile, in Newton Abbot, is beginning a 30-day consultation with staff over proposals to cut the number of shifts from four to three.

The company said falling demand and a new kiln which had increased capacity of the plant, meant it needed fewer workers.

The firm, which opened a new factory on the site in 2009, has gone from employing 250 workers 12 years ago to about 380 now.

A spokesman said: "Market conditions have continued to be at least as difficult as they were in 2010.

"The additional capacity provided by the new kiln will allow production of sufficient tiles to meet current market demand with fewer shifts."