Jobs bombshell as 100 workers hit by US takeover

Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date online: 01 June 2009

THE Oldham site of a healthcare firm acclaimed as a huge success over the last decade is closing down after being taken over by an American company.

Staff at Mobilis Healthcare say up to 100 jobs could go after bosses told them the Shaw Road site will shut after being merged with a Nottinghamshire firm.

Workers were called into a meeting at noon on Friday and told the site would close at the end of August.

The specialist medical and sports healthcare group was bought by Nottinghamshire-based Homecraft Rolyan in April. Homecraft is owned by Patterson Companies Inc, a publicly-quoted US corporation serving the dental, veterinary and medical markets.

The amalgamation follows a careful review and it will invest £2million in developing and expanding the Nottinghamshire head office, including a new warehouse for transferring Mobilis stock.

The newly enlarged UK company is to be renamed Patterson Medical Ltd, but the long-established trading names will be retained. The firm is creating 50 new jobs in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, available for relocation, but staff are dubious as to whether Oldham workers will take these up.

One worker said: “For warehouse staff on £10,000 to £15,000 a year it’s not worth relocating. A lot of the staff are local to the Oldham area and some have worked there for 16 years. It would not be possible or feasible for them to travel to Nottingham every day.

“I have a family and will be out of a job. Oldham is the second worst area for job vacancies — we are very concerned.”

A colleague added: “Most of us are in negotiations and are fighting for as much as we can get.”

Mobilis chief executive Colin Webb, now MD designate of Patterson Medical Ltd, said: “It was a difficult decision to close the Oldham site.

“But the more modern Huthwaite premises offers much greater scope for integration and future expansion.”

Managing Director David Amson said: “Most of the newly-created jobs are in sales, marketing and administration.

“We are looking to double the size of the combined business within the next five years, so there should be career advancement opportunities for new and existing staff.”

A resource centre has been set up in Oldham to help staff with relocation guidance, job seeking and career training advice.