CLEANING products company Jeyes is to transfer manufacturing from a factory in north Wales to its site at Thetford,

Staff at the company’s plant in Mold, Flintshire, were told earlier this week that the factory will close early next year, with the loss of 117 jobs, following a strategic review announced last December.

And a spokesman for Jeyes confirmed today that an increase in production staff at Thetford is likely as a result of the move, although he said it was too soon to specify the numbers or time-scale.

The news comes three months Jeyes revealed plans to cut up to 85 managerial and clerical jobs at the Thetford factory site and at Jeyes’ head office in Cambridge.

The company spokesman said yesterday that this process was now under way and would not be affected by the transfer of production work to Thetford.

Jeyes currently employs 350 people in the eastern region and 1,650 worldwide.

The Mold factory manufactures cleaning products for catering, housekeeping, air care, floor care, laundry and general cleaning.

In a statement on the closure Jeyes said: “We recognise that this decision will come as a great disappointment to our loyal and hard working staff, who have maintained consistently high standards throughout this review period.

“We will continue to consult with, inform and support our staff through the closure programme and will work with unions and local authorities as appropriate.”