A world-leading firm has announced job losses as part of a restructuring plan.

Heybridge-based ICS Triplex, which makes safety systems for oil and gas rigs, says 50 of its 360-strong worldwide workforce could be made redundant.

The company is closing its factory in Merton, south London, although some workers will be relocated to divisional headquarters at Heybridge.

The losses have been put down to the result of a downturn in the UK oil and gas industry.

The number of jobs affected at Heybridge is not known. Final redundancy figures will not be decided until talks are held between directors and the workforce consultative committee. They will look at minimising job losses by reducing other costs.

Members of staff whose jobs are at risk have been notified and will have a chance to suggest savings to prevent their positions becoming redundant.

Managing director Glenn Cooper said he would keep job losses to the minimum but said the firm had to maintain its strong position."

Options for staff to transfer to other companies in the ICS Group are being examined. The ICS Group is due to announce its year's profits next week.

In August the company shared in an £8.5 million deal to jointly develop a custom-built computerised safety system to help save lives on North Sea gas platforms.

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