A FACTORY which makes the tiny glass beads used to make white lines and road markings reflective at night is set to close.
Potters Ballotini employs 29 staff at its plant on Pontefract Road, Hoyle Mill, and was established in 1957.
It made a loss of £2.3m last year according to its most recent accounts filed with Companies House.
Its turnover decreased by 18 per cent during 2016, according to the documents. It said there had been an over-capacity in its main market, which is highway marking products, forcing its pricing down. This has been made worse due to rising costs such as higher energy bills and transport costs driven by oil prices.
A statement about its future plans within the accounts dated last December said the firm was making approaches outside the UK to try and broaden its customer base abroad.
But a spokesman for its United States-based parent company PQ Performance Materials confirmed plans were now progressing to close the plant by the end of next month.
“As part of a review of our facilities and operations, we have announced a proposal to close our operations at our Potters Ballotini Ltd Barnsley Plant,” said the spokesman.
“A consultation process with employee representatives has now commenced. The affected employees were notified on September 28.
“There are currently 29 employees of Potters Ballotini Barnsley, 26 are based at Barnsley and three are home based sales managers and IT director.
“With regards to timing we have communicated the proposal is to close the plant by the end of November.”
Former employee James Hopkins worked there from 1979 until he was made to retire 14 years ago aged 60 - he lost an employment tribunal in which he fought against his forced retirement.
“It used to be a great company to work for, but sadly just one or two people spoiled that,” he said.
“That place used to be an absolute hive of activity. I do feel very sorry for the people who are going to lose their jobs. I still know a lot of people who work there.”
After leaving, James set up his own glass recycling company GB Cullet, at Wombwell, of which his former employer Potters Ballotini has been a customer.
“They’ve bought glass from us, so it does come as a blow.”
