Around 200 staff at a century-old manufacturing plant are to lose their jobs.
Aliaxis, the Belgium-based owner of Marley Plumbing and Drainage has told staff at its factory in Dickley Road, Lenham, that the plant is to close.
Workers were called into a meeting at 12pm today (Tuesday) where they were told the news.
The firm is starting a three-month redundancy consultation process, with staff being told they will receive their final notices on September 6.
Employees at the plant said the announcement had come as “a bolt out of the blue.”
They were not offered any alternative employment at other sites. The nearest Aliaxis plant is at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
One worker said: “The mood is very sombre today, as you can imagine.”
The company has its origins with the Marley Tile Company founded by Owen Aisher at Lenham in 1924, although the original business has long been sub-divided and sold to different interests.
Sharing the site with Aliaxis is Tarkett - formerly known as Marley Floors. They are unaffected by the redundancy notice, although it is understood that the company leases their site from Aliaxis, who are the freeholders.
Aliaxis UK has owned Marley Plumbing and Drainage for the past 20 years.
The company makes plastic piping installations.
Aliaxis boasts on its website of having a turnover in excess of 3billion Euros.
John Britt is the chairman of Lenham Parish Council. He said: “There was a time years ago when practically everyone who lived in Lenham worked for Marley.
“That has long since ceased to be the case.
“Still it is sad if people are to lose their jobs and another historic firm is to close.”
Aliaxis has been contacted for comment.
