A Glusburn-based firm has made nearly 20 of its employees redundant.

Cirteq Ltd, which has a factory at Hayfield Mills, in Colne Road, manufactures fastening devices mainly for use in the motor vehicle industry.

The company currently employs 215 people and is one of South Craven’s largest employers.

Speaking on Monday, its managing director Andrew Crabtree said the company had been forced to respond to the economic downturn.

He said: “A significant drop in demand in the automotive components industry means the company has had to continue to take action to balance its books.

“A number of redundancies have already occurred, equating to 9 per cent of our permanent workforce.

“The company is already observing a four-day week and is currently in discussions with its workforce concerning going to a three-day week as from March 1.”

He added that these actions, though “extremely regrettable”, were necessary for the longer-term protection of employment at the site.

He paid tribute to every member of staff, acknowledging that they would suffer financial hardship during the period of short-time working.

In 2007 Cirteq lost a planning appeal to build 88 homes on part of its land at Hayfield Mills.

It had wanted to use the sale of the development to enable it to relocate to more modern and efficient buildings.

According to documents obtained by the Keighley News, the firm asked its staff to consider voluntary redundancy last month.

The documents also state that the company has decided to close a site it owns in the Indian city of Chennai, in order to concentrate on its Glusburn operation.

Cirteq was formed in 2002 but has its roots in two earlier businesses — Anderton Springs and Ellison — both set up in Bingley in 1939 and 1953 respectively.

These companies moved to Glusburn in the late 1990s.

Cirteq is the third major employer in South Craven in less than a month to announce job losses.

Last month, bosses said 180 jobs would go at the Greencore frozen food factory in nearby Cross Hills and a further 25 jobs at clothing brand Burberry, which also has a base in Cross Hills.