REDUNDANCIES look to have been averted at a major steel-making company.

But there is still no sign of business picking up at Titan Steel Wheels at Cookley.

The company, which makes huge wheels for heavy plant vehicles, has been laying off some workers for a few days at a time over recent months.

The Amalgamated Electrical and Engineering Union had feared that redundancies were imminent but the company has stressed there are no plans for any redundancies.

However, all hourly-paid staff are subject to three days' lay-off this month following four-day lay-offs last month.

The company's marketing manager Lindsay Akers said the market place for the company was still "very difficult".

"Our business depends solely on long-term supply relationships with vehicle builders and our level of sales is entirely dependent on the level of activity in the construction industry which is not very buoyant at the moment.

"The company does not rely on speculative sales, only long-term ordering patterns. However, we are continuing to make every effort to minimise the impact of these market conditions on the employees," she said.