Concrete product company Marshalls has opened talks with staff this week after it was hit hard by the economic downturn.

The company employs hundreds of workers at its Southowram works and offices in Elland.

Last month the company warned of harsh trading conditions and said it could not rule out further job cuts following the loss of 140 jobs when it closed two manufacturing bases in Cannock, Staffs, and Sawley, Notts.

Chief operating officer David Sarti said the company was not immune from current economic pressures.

"However it is now very clear that we need to do more to ensure our numbers employed and the associated costs reflect the very significant medium term shift in demand for our products and services," he said.

"Throughout this week consultation will commence which will highlight proposals to reduce numbers employed across various areas of the business including operations, administration and management.

"Some of these proposed reductions will be achieved by non-replacement of roles as they become vacant but the majority will be the result of proposed redundancies."

Mr Sarti said the consultation exercises had been coordinated so as to minimise the period of uncertainty for the vast majority who are not potentially affected by these necessary changes.

"Obviously, prior to any final decisions, we will consult widely with those potentially affected and where appropriate their representatives as well as considering any potential opportunities for redeployment," he said.

"Wherever practically possible we have committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies through accepting volunteers or reducing our current limited commitment to agency labour.

"The strength of this group is in its people. Any reduction in employment is regrettable and not undertaken lightly and so the scale of the proposed changes is no more than I consider absolutely necessary to address medium term demand as currently forecast."

Marshalls is a leading UK manufacturer of natural stone and concrete landscaping products and caters for the construction, home improvement and landscape markets.

Mr Sarti informed staff of the proposed shake-up via an internal memo.