MORE THAN 30 employees have been made redundant after an Ebbw Vale business ceased trading.

Monwel Signs & Services, which describes itself as Wales’ largest road traffic sign manufacturer, closed down its Ebbw Vale offices on Letchworth Road last Thursday.

Employees were reportedly told they were being made redundant and were given half an hour to leave the building.

The company, which provided employment for disabled people, is now taking advice from insolvency experts.

Just four months ago the company picked up three awards in recognition of its success in turning a loss-making public sector service into a profit-making social enterprise in the space of just over a year.

Originally run under the control of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, since it was externalised when the authority was on the verge of closing it down, Monwel had turned a loss of around £250,000 to a projected profit of £136,000 and become the leader in its field in Wales.

Contracts secured included the Heads of the Valleys Road duelling project, worth £414,000, and one for £150,000 with Caerphilly County Borough Council, as well as extended contracts with Carmarthenshire and other local authorities to provide them with highways signage.

A total of 35 employees have now been made redundant after the company ceased trading on July 30.

John Toner, the Unite union’s legal officer for Wales, said they represented around 15 to 20 employees from the company He said they were “extremely and bitterly disappointed by the lack of consultation” between the trade union’s members and the company.

“We feel angry and bitterly let down,” he added.

“They have shown total disregard and disrespect to the staff who have made a contribution to their business.

“These are vulnerable people, some of which are in sheltered accommodation and employed similar to Remploy.”

He added that he had visited the company earlier this week and seen that the gates were padlocked.

The Unite union is now seeking legal advice to see how they can assist their members going forward, and ensure they are paid redundancy pay, holiday pay and any other money owed to them.

“We will be assisting members wherever necessary to ascertain payments,” added Mr Toner.

No-one from Monwel Signs & Services was available to comment.