Weir Minerals announces closing of historic manufacturing site in Todmorden

The specialist mining equipment producer is planning to relocate production to other foundries, including Gqeberha and Johannesburg in South Africa.

According to a BBC News report, if approved, Weir’s facility in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England would close by the end of the year. Weir Minerals Europe Limited on Halifax Road, Todmorden, which employs about 350 people, could close by the end of 2025 under the plan. Employees in unaffected roles would transfer to a new engineering and technology centre which is set to open nearby, according to Weir. The specialist mining equipment producer is planning to relocate production to other foundries, including Gqeberha and Johannesburg in South Africa.

The Weir Group’s Todmorden site has been an ironworks since the late 1800s, and the company invested more than £5m in a foundry extension just over a decade ago.

The firm’s statement says: “A recent review of the Minerals Division EMEA region has highlighted significant overcapacity, particularly at the Todmorden plant. This issue is compounded by limited current demand and modest projected growth in the UK and European domestic markets traditionally served by the facility. The Minerals Division’s key growth markets within EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) for mining future facing commodities such as copper are mostly located in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The firm said the aim of the proposal was to bring the business closer to its key customers. Key markets for mining commodities like copper are in central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the statement added, with limited current demand in the UK. A spokesperson for Weir confirmed up to 250 jobs at the Todmorden site could potentially be at risk.

The proposal also includes plans to invest in a new engineering, technology, and sales and service centre nearby. This new facility will consolidate the operations of the Division’s existing Rochdale service centre, with the unaffected roles from Todmorden, on a new modern site.

Councillor Sarah Courtney, regeneration cabinet member at Calderdale Council, said: “As a resident of the town, I know many people who would be affected by its closure if this went ahead. We will do all we can to support people.”

The Unite union, which represents some employees, said meaningful discussions would be held with Weir. Regional officer Chris Muscroft said: “We will leave no stone unturned in seeking alternatives to the current proposals and ensuring our members’ best interests are prioritised.”

Weir said it was committed to minimising redundancies.

Weir Minerals Europe is a market leading organisation in the provision of slurry equipment solutions and its products and brands are recognised and trusted globally within the markets in which the company operates. The company has a strong coverage with sales centres covering all of Europe. Operations are controlled from the head office and manufacturing site in Todmorden.

Weir Minerals are a global manufacturing company, with industrial production facilities in six continents. Specialist process pumping equipment is provided to the mining, aggregates, and general industry sectors. In the United Kingdom, one of the main manufacturing facilities is located in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.