NINETEEN jobs are poised to go at Blackburn company Cobble, as the company plans to outsource part of its supply chain.

The company is first looking for volunteers to come forward to take redundancy.

And staff have been given a deadline of Monday at noon to put their names forward.

If the quotas are not met by the Monday deadline, the company will then look to make compulsory redundancies.

In a statemement released yesterday, Managing Director Jason Kent said: “Since its acquisition by NV Michel Van De Wiele of Kortrijk, Belgium in May 2013, Blackburn-based Cobble-Van De Wiele Ltd has been undertaking in-depth reviews of its operations to reinforce its position as the pre-eminent supplier of capital equipment, consumables and expertise to the global carpet tufting sector.

“Significant internal investment has already been made in specialist production machinery and an exciting new product development programme has been authorised.

“New career opportunities have been created to meet future challenges.

“But, sadly, some existing positions will disappear.

“As the company begins to outsource part of its supply chain to lower its prime cost-base thus maintaining and improving its vital competitive edge.

“A redundancy and restructuring programme has been announced which may result in up to 19 job losses at the Gate Street site.

“Consultations have commenced immediately with workforce representatives and volunteers are being sought from all groups.

“These will be evaluated against the need to retain key skills to take the business forward with new products into new markets.”