TEN former Remploy workers have found workplace happiness at what was a nearby competitor of the closure-hit firm.

The group are flourishing at packaging makers Diamondpak, Pontypool.

Remploy closed its factories in Croespenmaen and Abertillery, where 70 disabled people worked.

Many feared they would struggle to find another job, but companies like Diamondpak have been assisted by the Welsh Government’s £2.4m Employer Support Grant (ESG).

It helps pay for up to 100 per cent of former Remploy workers’ wages and training.

Tony Price, Diamondpak’s business development director, said: “It has been great for us.

Previously we have had to wait for profits to allow us to develop.”

The company creates all sorts of corrugated boxes, book wraps and display units for customers like Amazon, Play.com and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Its annual turnover is £5m and five years ago there were 38 staff on the factory floor – now there are 61. Machine operator Roslyn Brown, 55, was at Remploy for 18 years.

Its aim was to support disabled people and those experiencing complex barriers return to work into mainstream employment.

She said: “I went there as I had a nervous breakdown, I was on anti-depressants and they got me off them. I felt terrible when I knew they were closing.

“A lot of us were were worried we would not get another job, who would pay my mortgage but I felt brilliant when Diamondpak took me on. They are great people to work for, understand our needs and are so laid back.”

Machine maintenance worker Henry Booth, 51, finished at Remploy on October 26 last year and started at Diamondpak just three days later.

He said: “There’s a good bunch of people and management team.

For me the transition between jobs was really good.”

The Welsh Government recently announced its ESG is being extended until March 2014.