Bosses of a Southend company have denied rumours 200 jobs are at risk after a takeover, but admitted some posts could be axed.

Satair Hardware UK recently acquired the Lentern Aircraft branch in Main Road, Hawkwell, and bosses have admitted some redundancies will be necessary as the companies are merged.

The company has entered a mandatory 90 day consultation period where staff representatives will meet with bosses to discuss the extent and manner of any job cuts.

An announcement on the number of redundancies will be made when the period is up on April 8.

Nigel Thomas, integration officer for Satair Hardware UK, said: "There definitely will not be 200 people being made redundant.

"While there will be some redundancies, operations will continue in Southend. We have made a commitment to the area and a commitment to the workforce."

Published Wednesday January 14, 2004

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