Up to 120 jobs are under threat at a rope-making firm in a town famous for the industry.

Marlow Ropes in Hailsham is looking at shifting its manufacturing and production activities to the North.

Bosses said they were in talks with staff about the shake-up at the 150-year-old company, based in South Road.

Hailsham's long association with rope-making has earned it the nickname String Town, from when it used to supply ropes for public hangings.

Marlow Ropes employs more than 300 people on its 12-acre site.

It is regarded as a world-leader in the use of specialist fibres and rope construction for the marine and offshore industries.

But chief executive Jack West said a competitive global marketplace had brought a need for change and job cuts.

He said: "Our current business structure is no longer suitable to meet the challenges of the global marketplace and we are considering moving our manufacturing activities to another location in order to stay competitive.

"In this event, such a reorganisation could result in the loss of approximately 120 jobs at our Hailsham site."

Community leaders yesterday said they would be willing to open a dialogue with Marlow Ropes in an effort to safeguard jobs.

Wealden District Councillor Nick Ellwood said: "This will have a dramatic impact on Hailsham as Marlow Ropes has been around for more than 150 years.

"We are going to see whether we can speak to Marlow to see if anything can be done to preserve rope-making in Hailsham.

"What we cannot understand is why the company would want to move up North, away from the European markets.

"The loss of 120 jobs and the prestige of rope-making, which has been a feature of Hailsham for many years, would have an extremely adverse impact on the town."

Robin Kempe, chairman of Hailsham and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's a shame the tradition of rope-making is coming to an end.

"But this is something manufacturing industry is having to put up with."

Hailsham Mayor Geoff Rowe said: "It's a major blow to the town.

"Rope-making has been in Hailsham for a very, very long time. Various roads in Hailsham bear the names, such as Rope Walk.

"But it is also a big blow as 120 jobs is a big number to lose and a big number to replace."

The company said it remained committed to Hailsham and other areas of the business would maintain a presence in the town.

It said no firm decisions had been taken and employees would be informed once consultation had been completed.

Thursday, July 14, 2005