Thursday 20th December 2012



There is some good news today for workers in Chesterfield after it was announced this morning that Remploy Ltd has agreed the transfer of its Healthcare business in Chesterfield to R Link, trading as R Healthcare.

The business and factory had been proposed for closure following the Government's decision to withdraw funding from Remploy's factory-based businesses.

However Remploy entered into a commercial process for the factory with the objective of the continued employment of disabled people and value for money.

The 70 employees at the factory have transferred over to R Healthcare which has opened discussions with them on the company's plans for the business.

Simon Webster, the owner of R Healthcare, said: "We are delighted to have reached agreement on the transfer of the Healthcare business and we look forward to working with employees to build a prosperous future for the business."

Remploy said: "It is encouraging that the Chesterfield factory has a sustainable future with R Healthcare and we wish them well."

Esther McVey, Minister for Disabled people, said: "The Chesterfield factory is the latest Remploy factory saved from closure, and I'm pleased the companies involved have taken them over.

"The aim of the commercial process has always been to safeguard as many jobs for disabled people as possible, and Remploy, the Department for Work and Pensions and I have been working hard to this end."

The Chesterfield Post caught up with Simon Webster, Chairman of R Healthcare, who told us that he was thrilled to be taking over a company he had been proud to work with in the past, but also confirmed that he was unlikely to be able to retain all those currently employed at the site.

"R Healthcare is looking forward to a future in Chesterfield" said Simon, "It's a great day, we have removed a lot of uncertainty and clearly we think there's a future for the business and some of the staff there. Unfortunately, we won't be able to keep all the staff.

"There are 70 now and that will be reduced to 33, with 14 additional who work for R Healthcare, so there will be 47 on site. We will be going through a redundancy process - where possible we are hoping that some people will volunteer but I'm sure there will be enforced redundancies. I wish we didn't have to do it."

Asked about R Healthcare Simon said that they, "provide orthotic and mobility products to the NHS market place - wheelchairs, shoe insoles and braces - which help limbs to function more effectively.

"I have worked with Remploy Chesterfield before, have known it for a long time - they were a supplier to me in my old company. I set up R Healthcare to help them expand their sales and that was developing quite nicely and then they announced the closure, which was a shock, but it created an opportunity to get more involved.

"It's exciting - but a very challenging time. The hard work starts now and we have to work hard together, staff and management to make it work."

OTHER STORIES

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