500 JOBS AXED AT CONTACT LENS PLANT; US firm tell workers production will end.

Byline: Dave King

AROUND 500 people are to lose their jobs after contact lens manufacturer Bausch & Lomb announced they are to move production.

The company said they will concentrate manufacturing at two sites - at Waterford in Ireland and Rochester in New York State.

Production of disposable lenses at the plant in Livingston, West Lothian, will be phased out over the next 21 months.

The US firm claimed the factors involved in the decision included "proximity to established research and development resources, substantial total cost savings, global operational efficiencies, and future investment potential".

Gerald Ostrov, chairman and chief executive officer of Bausch & Lomb, was at the plant when management told workers.

He said: "We are constantly considering a number of options to provide the necessary funding to enable our global growth plans.

Global

"As such, and after an extensive strategic review, we believe focusing our resources on just two primary contact lens manufacturing plants is critical.

"The long-term cost savings - hundreds of millions of pounds - will provide crucial funding as part of a broader global effort to reinvest in our business, including increasing professional and consumer contact lens demand worldwide."

Ostrov said the decision was "not a reflection of how our people in Livingston have performed, their professionalism, or their dedication".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the plant on the election trail in 2005. And Livingston MSP Angela Constance said the news was a huge loss for the community.

TheSNP politician said: "This is a blow for the local economy and the 500-strong workforce who are highly committed, skilled and productive. I want to make sure that everything possible that can be done will be done for the workforce.

"As closure is not imminent, I want to ensure all options other than closure have been fully explored and to establish what opportunities exist to mitigate this colossal job loss."

Finance secretary John Swinney, who is already involved in the battle to save 900 Diageo whisky jobs in Glasgow and Kilmarnock, also spoke out.

He said: "I am very disappointed that Bausch & Lomb are consulting with a view to moving production abroad. This follows an extensive review of worldwide operations and will be devastating news for employees, their families and the town of Livingston.

"Along with Scottish Enterprise and SDI, we will work with Bausch & Lomb to explore further possibilities for the site.

"A phased withdrawal gives us the opportunity to put in place individual help and support for people facing redundancy."

Labour's skills spokesman John Park said: "This would be another body blow to the Scottish economy and ministers must do everything possible to try to save these jobs."

CAPTION(S):

VISIT: Brown at plant in 2005 BLOW: Angela Constance CLOSING: Workers will lose their jobs at the factory over the next 21 months