Jobs at risk at Johnstons of Elgin textile firm

The firm is based in Moray

Johnstons of Elgin, one of Scotland's leading textile firms, has announced that about 60 jobs are at risk at its mill in Moray.

The firm makes woollens garments at mills in Elgin and Hawick, some for luxury own-brand labels and some under its own name.

There will be a restructuring at the Elgin plant, which employs about 750 people. There are no plans to reduce the Hawick workforce.

The family-owned firm was founded in 1797. It said there had been a slowdown in the market.

Johnstons of Elgin said it had sales worth £100m last year, a rise of 20% on the previous 12-month period.

However, it said global economic uncertainty and changes in consumer behaviour had slowed the luxury textiles market considerably this year.

A spokesperson said: "In the longer term, we expect the luxury market to recover to a more stable long term growth trajectory, albeit at a slower rate than we have seen in the last decade.

"We continue to invest in equipment, training and development to be well placed to be able to support our customers and grow our own brand as the market improves."

The Unite union has vowed to fight any threat of compulsory redundancies.