Sources within Brighton bomb makers EDO MBM Technology Ltd confirmed today that its Flexible Circuits Division (FCD) which makes parts for military equipment and computers is to close or be sold off by November this year. This will be another major victory for local anti-war campaigners Smash EDO.

The factory which is EDO MBM's second Brighton factory based in Mill Road, Fishersgate has been the site of numerous anti-war demonstrations, rooftop occupations and lock-ons over the last few years under the banner of the Smash EDO campaign. There have been several arrests as well as ongoing prosecutions against protesters arrested at the factory.

There have also been several anonymous pixie actions against the site involving paint bombs and bricks. Police have not identified anyone to arrest concerning these events.

Paul Hills, MD of EDO MBM has been seeking a buyer for the business since instructed by his new bosses at US parent corporation ITT, who have no use for the factory in their multinational conglomerate, and if he can not find one by November the business will be closed completely and the site sold off.

Previously insiders have revealed the poor working condition of the Fishersgate factory, including dangerously unreliable air conditioning systems (where chemical fumes often leave employees feeling sick long they leave work), and insecure storage and disposal of toxic chemicals from in the etching process used to make flexible circuit boards. Drums of toxic chemicals are stored at the rear of the factory close to family homes.

Sources close to Paul Hills said the decision had already been made to sell the business or shut it down and sell the building.

The amount of money required to bring the site up to environmental as well as health and safety standards will not be very attractive to potential buyers, one insider said.

A spokeswoman for the EDO MBM factory Fishersgate said they had been told the intention to sell would be confirmed to them by Thursday and was surprised to hear it had already been decided.

The closure or sell off of the Fishersgate site will be a huge blow to EDO MBM, leaving them with just one remaining factory. It is expected to reduce the workforce of EDO MBM by around 25% and the number of employees may dip below 100 for the first time. In 2004 EDO MBM employed 200 people, between its main Home Farm factory in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, over sixty employees have either either left the company or been laid off since the Smash EDO campaign began in 2004. At least eight directors, including one managing director David Jones have also resigned or been sacked since 2004.

EDO MBM are part of the Paveway IV guided bomb manufacturing team, and also make parts for the Stormshadow cruise missile, the Eurofigher Typhoon, and the next generation F35 Joint Strike Fighter, as well as components used by UK. US, NATO, Israeli, Saudi Arabian and other armed forces engaged in war crimes and human rights violations.

The campaigners have continually vowed to continue protest actions against EDO MBM in Brighton until its entire military operation is closed down.


EDO MBM FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS
 http://www.edombmtech.co.uk/mbmflex/

Smash EDO
 http://www.smashedo.org.uk