THE NUMBER of staff at risk of losing their jobs at Gtech has been revealed.

Gtech founder Nick Grey announced that staff in the customer service team have been offered the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy as the business looks to reduce numbers.

It has now been revealed that about 16 positions in the customer service team are at risk at Gtech's Brindley Road, Warndon Villages, headquarters.

The decision was taken after an increase in customers placing orders online rather than over the phone.

Mr Grey said: "We have to go through the process and it would be unfair to those involved to make final decisions until everyone had been consulted."

READ MORE: GTech staff facing redundancy as customers move online

Mr Grey previously said redundancies are the worst aspect of running a business.

He said: "I am tremendously proud of the excellent service that our advisors give.

"They are second-to-none so having to offer voluntary redundancy and reduce staff numbers is the worst aspect of running a business.

"We will do what we can to keep everyone informed and understand that however upsetting it might be for me, it is certainly worse for those facing uncertainty over their jobs.”

Mr Grey said a fall in calls is what sparked the need to reduce the team as customers take their business online.

He said: "We took on 16 additional customer service advisors in the spring but have seen call volumes fall dramatically this year.

"It seems that more and more customers prefer to order online than using the telephone."

He said the company is now pursuing an 'aggressive growth plan' in response to the rapid rise of overseas competitors, particularly in China.

Gtech is looking to win a higher proportion of the floorcare market through its new strategy.

The company has already grown and earlier this year, the firm invested £6 million in its own warehouse in Corby.

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The firm was launched by Nick Grey in 2001 with products such as the award-winning AirRAM vacuum.

Gtech has sold 20 million of its cordless power sweepers, expanded into garden power tools and Mr Grey featured twice on the Sunday Times Rich List with £120 million in the bank.

It reportedly employs 160 people.

A recent television advert from GTech showed staff singing alongside Nick Grey, whilst showcasing its range of floorcare and garden equipment – including the latest AirRam Platinum.