WORKERS at a Pontypool factory face an uncertain future if a hostile takeover bid for their company succeeds.

Shareholders in brake-makers TRW, which employs 887 people at its New Inn base, are being courted by American aerospace giant Northrop Grumman (NG).

An approach by NG was rejected by directors of the US-based TRW board so in March they appealed directly to the company's shareholders to sell their shares to them. But union officials at New Inn fear the company could be broken up and parts sold off to new owners if NG succeeds in taking control.

Peter Booth, the TGWU national organiser for manufacturing, said: "We hope the shareholders listen to the board and reject this bid. For most workers, hostile takeovers usually spell danger."

Factory manager John Sumner said: "They (NG) have already intimated they will divest the automotive part should they take over. They claimed they had a buyer in the wings but did not reveal the name.

"The board are recommending shareholders reject the offer. They don't think it offers good long-term value for investors."

Mr Sumner was confident about the future of the Pontypool plant, though, despite the uncertainty. It has 37 per cent of the drum brake market in Europe and makes a profit. "There is nothing that would suggest anything other than we can continue business profitably here," he said.

But Neville Taylor, TGWU convenor at the New Inn site, said: "Manufacturing is collapsing in this area. We don't know what the future is for us.

"It's left to a handful of shareholders to decide our future. "NG have said they do not want a chassis division. The only thing they want is the space and defence arm of TRW because that is where the biggest profits are."

Mr Booth called for changes to UK legislation to protect workers' rights. "It's easier, cheaper and quicker to close a factory in Britain than elsewhere," he said. "The bosses can reach a decision on closing a plant in Britain in 90 days without talking to anyone. It's unacceptable and untenable."