SHOCKED workers at a Swindon company learnt that 275 staff are to be laid off over the next two years.

Bosses at the pharmaceutical business Catalent, based at the Blagrove Industrial Estate in Frankland Road, said they wanted to wind down the factory.

Last night Hugh Kirkbride, the Unite union representative, was in talks with Catalent’s management in Swindon.

He blamed the job losses on 10 to 15 years of under-investment at board level.

“Swindon is the oldest factory it has got,” said Mr Kirkbride. It opened in 1982.

“The Swindon workforce have been using uneconomical machines – some of which are 40 years old.

“It’s only the skill of the workforce that meant they could produce complicated products.

“Investment has not been forthcoming in the last 10 to 15 years. It has been stifled at board level.

“There is a lot of anger and frustration from workers.”

The company employs 900 people in the town and it produces more than a billion tablets a year with softgel encapsulation services.

The more modern Zydis fast dissolving tablet production outlet, on the same site, is unaffected by this change.

One worker, who asked not to be named, told the Swindon Advertiser it was a devastating blow to the workforce.

“Everybody was in shock after the meeting,” he said. “People couldn’t believe what was being said. It could be up to 300 staff being laid off with temps going.

“We’re surprised as the transfer of business had been made to other companies.

“We’re all suffering in Swindon.”

Catalent’s Swindon general manager John Barnes said: “The company intends to wind down its manufacturing activities in Swindon by December 2011.

“The site we are closing currently employs approximately 275 people.”

l If you are a worker at Catalent and would like to speak to the Adver, in confidence, call the newsroom on 01793 501798.