Arabic version: إغلاق منشأة كومatsu في موس فالي يهدد بإلغاء 265 وظيفة

According to ABC News, Komatsu Mining plans to close its Moss Vale plant in the NSW Southern Highlands by 2030, with about 265 jobs expected to go as operations are phased out.

Komatsu said it would shift work to Rutherford in the NSW Hunter Valley and Rockhampton in Central Queensland, while outsourcing some fabrication and machining to Australian suppliers. Executive Helen Gibson said the restructure was intended to “simplify operations” in response to changes in the Australian market and customer requirements, adding there would be no immediate changes for employees.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union senior organiser Nathan Everson said workers had been “blindsided” by the announcement. He said union representatives were told original-equipment work would transition to China, and that job losses would be scheduled across six phases through to 2030. He also said the Rutherford site would lose some work under the restructure.

Business Southern Highlands chair Greg Welsh estimated the region could lose about $20 million a year in household spending if affected workers and their families leave. He said the loss would affect local shops, engineering firms, hydraulics businesses and component suppliers that service the plant.

Federal Whitlam MP Carol Berry is due to meet Komatsu on Thursday to ask why the site is closing and how workers will be supported. NSW Domestic Manufacturing Minister Courtney Houssos said she was disappointed by the plan and would monitor its impact, while Wingecarribee Mayor Erin Foley said council would seek a meeting with the company.