THE jobs of 80 acr factory workers are at the heart of talks between bosses and staff at ACR Heat Transfer, which despite a strong order book has left staff unpaid, according to a trade union official.
Staff at the coil manufacturer's King's Lynn plant have not been paid for two weeks, due to the firm's accounts being frozen by its bank.

Bosses told staff yesterday (September 7) that the firm is in talks with two buyers who have been made aware of the situation. Management gave clear indications to the workforce that a new buyer would pay staff any wages due - a factor which would be reflected in the final purchase price.

While talks between bosses and two prospective buyers continue, the wait goes on for staff needing payment.

Union officials involved include Unite's regional industrial organiser Steve Harley who told ACR News: 'Unless this is settled quickly they'll be no pay given in the next fortnightly payment period either'.

He added: 'The entire workforce has been invited to attend a meeting with management today (September 8). We don't believe at this time that jobs will be lost because the company has a full order book, so there's plenty of work there'.

At the time of publication, no comment was made by ACR Heat Transfer's management.

ACR Heat Transfer was originally founded in the early 1980s by ex-Temperature colleagues Terry Smith, Mike Harley and Frank Dennis. The company held a very influential position in the UK at that time, Mike Harley and Terry Smith both becoming presidents of FETA. Colleague Frank Dennis was made an OBE and left a marketing bursary in his name for students in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. None of the founders are now involved with the business.