STAFF were reeling yesterday after Siemens VAI announced they were set to axe 240 jobs at their Bournemouth Airport offices.

The UK head office in Enterprise Way at the Aviation Park focuses on the design and engineering of rolling mills and automation systems for the aluminium industry.

Many staff leaving the building yesterday evening refused to comment on the bleak situation, with others just expressing dejection and concern.

One employee said: “Everyone is just really disappointed and there are a lot of worried people concerned about the next step. We all know we’re in a recession but until something like this happens you don’t realise the magnitude of it.”

Another said: “It’s just so out of the blue. It’s a pretty despondent atmosphere inside.”

Siemens confirmed that it is undertaking a strategic review of its metals and minings business in line with challenging economic conditions and significant decreased demand in this sector of industry worldwide.

A statement said: “As part of this review, the outcomes of which are expected to be implemented by the end of 2010, the company has announced that it is considering the future of its operation in Christchurch, Siemens VAI Metals Technology Ltd.”

Around 240 employees are based in Christchurch and the company will now enter a formal consultation process with all its employees.

The statement added: “Siemens will endeavour to provide redeployment and re-skilling opportunities wherever practicable within the wider Siemens organisation.”

Cllr Alan Griffiths, leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: “This is very sad news and totally unexpected. We will work with Job Centre Plus and others to do our best for the workforce in this awful situation.”

Terry Atkinson, secretary of Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “In the current climate, it is inevitable that international companies will look at all measures necessary to secure competitiveness.

“The closure of Siemens VAI at the airport will be a massive blow to those highly skilled specialist employees affected and a setback to the area.

“However, the trend for the airport is definitely one of growth and everyone involved will be working hard to attract new businesses to the site and to improve the prospects for employment there.”

Christchurch MP Chris Chope said: “I was not aware of this. It is a tragedy for all those people who have invested their lives in the company.

“It is a major blow to the local economy. We are talking about good quality, highly skilled jobs, largely based on export.”