New site for fire-hit firm Mainetti safeguards jobs
A recycling firm twice hit by fire last summer will move to a new site safeguarding jobs, it has announced.
Mainetti will take over the former Tetra Pak site in Wrexham.
The company has been working from the former Hotpoint factory at Bodelwyddan in Denbighshire, since its premises in Holywell suffered major damage in fires in May and July 2013.
The Welsh government says the move could create jobs for workers facing redundancy at the town's Sharp plant.
Mainetti, which recycles coat hangers, has been working with the Welsh government to find a permanent site since a fire destroyed its factory on Greenfield Business Park, in May.
Road and rail transport was disrupted as smoke billowed across the area during the fire.
A second fire in July destroyed 16 tonnes of coat hangers and 10 tonnes of plastic.
Graham Wilson, production director at Mainetti, said: "We are delighted to have identified a site that fully meet the needs of our business, with enough space to allow us to expand as our business grows, while keeping our association with north Wales where we have been present since 1983."
Meanwhile, Business Minister Edwina Hart said the move would safeguard about 300 existing jobs and allow for future expansion.
"This is especially great news for Wrexham, which is still reeling from the recent jobs blows in the area," she said.
"Mainetti are already in discussions regarding employment opportunities for workers at Sharp who are facing redundancy.
"We will continue to work with Mainetti and other key employers in Wrexham as well as potential investors to support job creation in the area."
Mainetti hopes to complete the move in the first half of 2014.
It also plans to move its distribution facility to Wrexham.