A DEAL has been struck for the former Ryland's plant which will keep the wire in Warrington, it has been announced.

The gradual decline in the fortunes of Ryland's - now Tinsley Wire - looks set to be arrested after the historic firm was sold to a Yorkshire wire giant this week.

New owner Carrington Wire says its intention is to develop and expand the existing Battersby Lane plant after a huge shake-up in the wire industry nationwide.

Chris Robinson, general manager at Battersby Lane, said: "What we are trying to do is maintain employment. Rylands, or Tinsley Wire as we call it, is changing hands for the long-term future of the site."

He accepted that the workforce had decreased gradually during the past few years due to increased competition - but the latest moves would arrest that position.

Tinsley's Belgian parent company, Bekaert, has sold the nail production lines to Halifax-based Carrington while transferring wire operations to its Sheffield factory.

But Carrington chief executive Steve Longbottom insisted that new wire products would be introduced to replace the Yorkshire-bound lines.

He told the GUARDIAN: "We are wire-drawers, that is what we are good at and that is what we are staying with. This company has a good product."

Referring to the transferring wire production, he continued: "We will replace that in time by growing the existing business and it is our intention to bring in new lines in future."

He promised that the future of the Warrington firm would reflect previous acquisitions, of similar companies in South Wales and Birmingham, with the aim of increasing productivity levels paramount.

Currently Tinsley produce 55,000 tonnes of wire annually, a figure Carrington is looking to double in time.

Union bosses representing the 200-plus workforce have reacted positively to the sale.

Eddie Lynch, who worked at the former Ryland's factory for 20 years and is now assistant general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Federation, supported the scheme.

"Warrington and Ryland's is an institution," said Mr Lynch, "and while we are always cautious about takeovers, we would view this as positive news for Warrington."

And Les Morgan, secretary of the Warrington branch of the GMB union, added: "It is hoped that job reductions, if there are any at all, can be kept to an absolute minimum.

"I am pleased the company has shown they are prepared to enter into full consultation with unions.

"It is my intention to be fully involved to protect the interests of local workers."

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