A RINGWOOD recycling plant last week laid off about 15 workers in a blow to local manufacturing. CMA Recycling said the redundancies were part of "ongoing pressure in the global metal recycling sector".
The metals company, which has three other sites in Melbourne — in Bayswater, Pakenham and Campbellfield — would not confirm why workers at the Ringwood plant were laid off.
A statement from managing director John Pederson to the ASX said the move was part of a wider problem. "No metal recycler anywhere in the world is immune from the market forces now at work and we are determined to keep a close eye on costs and other aspects of the business which we can control," he said.
"CMA will work closely with all affected employees and their representatives to ensure this phase of our restructuring is completed with diligence and compassion."
The Heatherdale Road company has long been problematic for Maroondah Council and nearby residents, frustrated by noise and dust pollution caused by a large metal shredder.
Earlier this year, the council won a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing forcing the company to comply with stricter permit conditions.
Shortly after, CMA announced it would close the Ringwood site and relocate in two to three years, most likely to Dandenong.