Rotherham jobs go in wake of Japanese 'quake

All agency workers at Templeborough-based Toyoda Gosei, who make up ten per cent of the workforce, are losing their jobs as a result of knock-on effects from the disaster.

The rubber car components plant closed down for a week over Easter because of a downturn in demand after its customers in Japan cut back production following the earthquake and tsunami in March.

But customers in the UK, Europe and South Africa continue to suffer component supply problems and are scaling down production.

Although Toyoda Gosei has no supply difficulties itself, the disaster has caused a fall in demand for its parts.

The company said that no staff redundancies were currently planned but the workforce face part-time working, unpaid leave and banked hours during lay-offs because of the “extraordinary circumstances.”