One of the consequences of this proposed plan could be the end of production at Ferndale, South Wales. Final assembly of high pressure cylinders would move to the Chubb national distribution centre near Birmingham. 156 jobs would be affected in Ferndale. 26 jobs would be created in other UK locations. Chubb’s facilities in St Florentin in France and Dingley in Australia could also be affected.

The global extinguisher market is highly competitive. Investment and efficiency programmes at Chubb’s production facilities at Ferndale, South Wales and St Florentin, France have helped Chubb’s competitiveness but it is increasingly difficult to combat the lower cost suppliers from other parts of the world.
Eric Patry, Regional President of Chubb said: “Our top priority has to be providing our customers with a high quality product at a competitive price. Our workforce in our fire extinguisher production facilities did everything they could to be competitive but economic conditions today make it difficult for us to compete against other lower cost countries”.