Staff at Highland firm SGL Carbon Fibers face job cuts

STAFF at a major Highland firm face festive misery with the prospect of job cuts.

Bosses at SGL Carbon Fibers, which employs 200 at their Muir of Ord factory, near Inverness, say they are working to save redundancies.

Talks between management and GMB union officials are being held.

The situation is being blamed on a slump in orders as a result of the recession.

The company says there has been a downturn in production because of global markets.

Operations manager Steve Easton said: “We are considering a number of potential strategies at present.

“As well as possible amendments to working hours, we cannot rule out the prospect of a small number of redundancies.”

The plant has been a major employer in the Highlands for more than 30 years.