Jobs joy for 22 ex-Remploy workers

4D Enterprises in action (l-r) Mike Braddock, Steve Wright, Steve Bottomley and Pat Mellor

FORMER Remploy workers have won jobs with a new company that has risen from the ashes.

4D Enterprises is employing 22 people, all axed from the Bardsley factory last year, to produce windows and doors — just like Remploy.

And they are even using their old machines, bought and set up in a unit on the Trent industrial estate in Duchess Street, Shaw.

Production ended at Remploy last August after a review of employment opportunities for disabled people recommended that its factories become either social enterprises or co-operatives.

Local businessman Mike Braddock expressed interest, but faced obstacles — now overcome with the help of Oldham Council, MP Michael Meacher and Oldham Business Leadership Group.

The new commercial social enterprise will be run by a management team featuring ex-Remploy site manager Pat Mellor, communities and business director Steve Wright and commercial director Steve Bottomley.

Steve Wright said: “4D stands for disabled, disadvantaged, disconnected, disaffected - and we are hoping to take on people who fall through the net. It’s about giving everyone a chance.

“We will provide full-time employment and training opportunities. If we can get people work-ready it will give them confidence and we can find them a job with us or elsewhere.

“There is a whole spectrum of disabilities and conditions that individuals live with daily. Our aim is to cater for them and in the long-term, for everyone in Oldham.

“It’s easy to adapt a work place for a disabled person -it costs on average £50 per person.

“We are thrilled with this project and we can’t believe how much support we’ve had - it’s overwhelming.”

Mike added: “We’re very excited. We have to make a profit by producing and selling first class products at competitive market prices into the construction sector and we will be giving some of the profits to charities, which may include good causes like Mahdlo.

“This is about real people and opportunities. If people buy windows and doors from us they will be helping local people and charities.”

Brian Moss, assistant team leader, suffered a spine injury whilst working at Tesco and ended up working at Remploy. He went for six interviews without success.

“It was absolutely awful when Remploy shut down,” he said. “But this management has managed to take some of them back on. We make a fantastic product with a disabled workforce and I know we are widening the workforce to reflect where we live.”

MP Michael Meacher said: “I strongly opposed the closure of the Remploy factory, which I believe was an act of industrial vandalism.

“I am absolutely delighted that this management team has turned this new company around and, in the spirit of real enterprise, has taken on 22 workers. I’m sure with their creativity and energy, they will take on dozens more staff in the months to come.”

To find out more about the company and its products call 01706 882818 or email info@4Denterprises.co.uk