DOZENS of workers are fearing for their jobs at a factory in Ilminster as mystery surrounds the firm’s expansion.

Staff at the Daido factory, based in Winterhay Lane, have been left in limbo after the company opened a new office in Stuttgart, Germany.

Daido Industrial Bearings Europe Ltd (DIBE) has been established at the Somerset site for more than 15 years, employing hundreds of people.

The company’s European technical centre is also based at the Winterhay Lane site.

However, workers at the site now say they fear key administration roles and management positions will be transferred to the new office in Germany.

An employee of the Winterhay Lane factory, who did not wish to be named, said staff at the site were concerned for their livelihoods.

He said: “I have worked for the company for a number of years and have seen many changes to the company, both good and bad over that period of time.

“The company has had numerous owners who have focused on different products and markets but fundamentally the number of employees has reduced over this period.

“It appears that this reduction will continue as the company is now in the process of opening an office in Stuttgart and are intending to move the administration of Daido Metal Europe to the new office and there are rumours that the management of administration functions of Daido Industrial Bearings are potentially to be moved to Germany also.

“Is this the thin edge of the wedge and the start of another downsizing of employment in Ilminster and a result of Brexit?”

A spokesman at Daido refused to confirm or deny if there will be redundancies at the Ilminster factory.

The spokesman added: “We will be putting out formal communications internally in Daido about our plans for 2017 and also speaking separately to the individual who has raised the concerns.

“Once we have communicated to everyone we will be in a position to make a statement for you but at this point I can’t be specific about when that will be.”

Val Keitch, mayor of Ilminster, also raised concerns.

She said: “I would be concerned about any potential job losses for Ilminster. Daido is an important employer for Ilminster and I will be seeking a meeting with management as soon as possible.”