400 NEW JOBS AT ASW.

Byline: Phillip Nifield

CARDIFF'S ASW steel plant is to re-start production a year after it closed - with the creation of 400 jobs.

New owners Spanish steel-makers Celsa hope to re-start production at one furnace between July and the end of September.

The company has already started hot-testing in readiness for a resumption of steel making and is also recruiting workers. Representatives from steel union ITSC hope many of the workers who lost their jobs when the firm went into receivership last year are given a shot at the new jobs. An additional 200 jobs will go out to contractors covering logistics, engineering support and warehousing.

It is understood that Celsa plans to produce 100,000 tonnes of a steel called billet in a process that transforms scrap metal.

The jobs boost for Cardiff was welcomed today by First Minister Rhodri Morgan and assembly government economic development minister Andrew Davies.

Mr Morgan said that he was delighted that steel-making and re-rolling at Tremorfa and at the east docks would be re-starting.

``It was the red light for stop last July when ASW went into receivership. It was the amber light in January and we finally have the green light. It is a great day for industry in Wales.''

Mr Davies said: ``This is the news we have all been waiting for since Celsa purchased the majority of ASW assets in January this year.''

Michael Leahy, general secretary of ITSC, said: ``It's great news for the local community and our members who have suffered greatly recently.

``We will be seeking talks with the company to explore how we can work together to make the plant a success. It's very important that Celsa re-employs as many former workers of the ASW plant as possible.'' Coun Michael Michael, Cardiff council cabinet member for enterprise, said: ``This is great news. The closure of ASW was a serious and bitter blow to the Cardiff economy and for the former ASW staff. The re-open-ing of the works and creation of 400 jobs will provide a major step forward in retaining a good manufacturing sector in the c t y. '' Around 850 jobs were lost after ASW went into administrative receivership last July. Workers suffered a double whammy after it was revealed that they would receive less than 20 per cent of what they had expected in pensions.