AT the same time as announcing job losses, one of Malvern's leading high-tech companies has also signed a deal with a top German firm.

Malvern Instruments has closed its machine shop with the loss of eight jobs.

Paul Walker, the firm's managing director, says it is cheaper to contract the work out to two local independent machine shops.

He said: "This decision is in no way a reflection of the skill, competence or dedication of the machine shop personnel who have served Malvern Instru-ments well over the years.

"Neither has it been driven by any concerns about our current trading position or our future pros-pects, which remain very positive indeed."

The two independent firms will be offering jobs to at least four of the redundant staff, while at least two more will be offered new jobs within Malvern Instruments.

The company has also signed a deal with German high-tech firm ALV GmbH. The new relationship will permit the integration of ALV's expertise in the design of light-scattering instrumentation and correlator technology, into Malvern Instruments products.

The first product to result from this joint venture is the Malvern CGS-3, a compact research grade multi-angle light scattering spectrometer, launched at a trade show in the USA earlier this month.

The new device has applications in the growing fields of biotechnology and drug development.

Mr Walker said: "ALV's expertise in light scattering technology is respected world-wide and we are pleased to have developed a relationship that allows us exclusive access to the company's light scattering and correlator technology.

"There is an exceptional fit between our two companies, and as world leaders we share the same concern to provide high quality, technically advanced products that properly serve the needs of customers."