GLASS company Arc International yesterday announced plans to close its plant in Sunderland, threatening 240 jobs.
The French-owned company confirmed its cookware factory, the last commercial glassmaking plant on Wearside, will close by the end of September.
The announcement comes only days after glassmaker Corning ended more than 120 years of glassmaking at the city's Wear Glass Works site by confirming it will close on March 31, with the loss of 100 jobs.
Arc last night blamed its decision on the Pyrex factory falling victim to economic pressures, lack of orders and spiralling energy costs, and said the site, in the Pallion district of Sunderland, had made a loss of £760,000 in the past year alone.
A spokeswoman said: "This has meant structural losses over several years, with no sign of an upturn, in spite of the full commitment of the staff to the productivity efforts."
The company said its Pyrex cookware range remained central to Arc, and production would be transferred to two sites in France. Last night, consultation was under way between employees, unions and Arc International management, who pledged to support the workforce of 240.
Francisco Azcona, general manager of the Arc International Cookware division, said the long-standing economic performance of the factory was key in its decision.
He said: "The decision is based solely on the continuing adverse situation in our plant and in no way reflects on the performance of the employees. We must now do everything we can to help them in this transition period.
"Arc International is continuing its strategy of consolidating its position in glass ovenware products and confirms that the Pyrex brand is a key part of this strategy.
"To reinforce our leadership in glass products, we will shortly be launching a new range based on an innovative approach. This range will be produced in our plants in Chateauroux and Arques."
Arc took over the Pallion plant, which has been producing glass for more than 90 years, from Newell Rubbermaid in October 2005.
