Almost 100 jobs in Angus and the north-east are under threat after oil production supply company Vetco Gray announced plans to reduce its workforce.
A total of 78 jobs are expected to be axed from the company’s Montrose site, while a further 18 jobs will go in Aberdeen.
The company began a 30-day legal consultation with employees yesterday.
The announcement comes two weeks after GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) confirmed it was to shed 55 jobs at its Montrose factory.
A spokeswoman for Vetco Gray said employees had been told of plans to consolidate services at its Charleton Road site at Montrose while “aligning with the company’s growth strategy of achieving lean processes and cost-efficiency”.
Activity at the Aberdeen sites in Altens and Broadfold Road, Bridge of Don, will be moved to Charleton Road as the larger plant is big enough to absorb the expected business growth.
A total of 24 employees at the Altens site and 18 employees at Broadfold Road will be affected by the plans, including the 18 redundancies.
The spokeswoman added: “To maximise existing capabilities, most manufacturing work will be moved to other Vetco Gray sites that are already producing similar products.
“However, local customer requirements for subsea wellheads and specialty connectors and pipe for the North Sea, UK and Norway regions will continue to be supplied from Charleton Road.
“This is a difficult but necessary proposal to position us for the future growth of the global services business and long-term success of the company.”
The firm has pledged to minimise job losses by retraining and early retirement.
Montrose councillor Paul Valentine, who previously worked at the company, said: “As a former employee of the company, I still have a lot of friends there, and they are very concerned. They don’t know if they are going to have a job next year. It’s a very worrying time for them.”
Angus MSP Andrew Welsh said his first thoughts were for the staff and families affected.
He added: “I have been assured by Vetco Gray that help will be available to everyone in their employment affected.