Digger manufacturer JCB has announced it is shedding 150 jobs across its UK factories because of a global slump in demand for construction equipment.
Redundancies will be made across its factories in Staffordshire, Wrexham and its engine making plant JCB Power Systems, which is in Foston.
A 45-day consultation has started with staff. It is hoped the majority of the job cuts can be achieved by workers taking voluntary redundancy or early retirement.
The company said that the global construction market had been hit by various geopolitical issues - including Russia which has had sanctions imposed on it because of its actions in Ukraine.
JCB employs 6,500 people across its UK sites, which export 75 per cent of their output.
