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Staff at one of Livingston's oldest factories were given the shocking news their workplace was closing on Brexit Day.

The API Foils factory ceased production on Friday as the US-based company closed all of its operations in the UK.

Edinburgh Live understands as many as 132 jobs could be lost, with workers given no warning of the closure.

Local politicians and union officials have been speaking to the staff at the foil-making plant since the announcement was made.

One worker who lost his job after 20 years at the company said: "The second oldest factory in Livingston is closing down due to Brexit. Thanks Nigel, thanks Boris. Oh the irony that it has happened today."

While the parent company has blamed a loss of customers, staff suspect the firm is shifting operations to mainland Europe.

A worker, who did not wish to be named, told us: "The reason I think this is Brexit related is that 80% of our product goes to Europe and we have hubs in Italy, Holland, and France.

"The holding company Steel Partners put out a statement on their website just before we were told and their is no mention of the hubs closing but they bought another foil company called Dunsmore about 1.5 years ago who are based in Germany so it looks like our orders will be going there."

Ernst & Young are due to be appointed as administrators for API's British operations on Monday. At this stage it's not clear if a buyer is being sought or if the company will be liquidated.

It's understood employees who were not working on Friday were not told about the job losses.

API's plant makes foils and film for packaging. In 2017 they announced an investment of £500,000 in the plant to add holographic and embossing services.

The closure is another devastating blow for jobs in West Lothian. In 2018 the Kaiam computer factory shut just before Christmas, leaving workers with uncertainty about their holiday wages.

API describes itself as the "global market leader in the manufacture and distribution of decorative foils & laminates used in the graphics & packaging industries." It is a subsidiary of the Steel Partners conglomerate.

'Disgraceful situation'

MSP Neil Findlay said: "From what I am hearing today this company has decided to close its operations in the UK and leave hundreds of workers high and dry with no effort to sell the business. Clearly they want to shut out any competitors - what a disgraceful situation.

"They appear to have announced this in the US before advising staff in Livingston who were told to leave immediately and couldn’t even clear their lockers.

"I have spoken with Unite the Union who are doing everything they can to get the bottom of what is going on."

Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance said: "More disappointing news on the jobs front following the announcement by SKF this week, API Foils in Livingston are calling in administrators."

Steel Partners issued a statement on Friday confirming they were seeking to sell or wind-down API's UK operations.

Bill Fejes, Steel Partners’ Chief Operating Officer, said: "As previously disclosed, since early 2019, we have been working with the API Group businesses to assist in managing significant adverse change within their industries and the loss of major customers.

"Importantly, we expect that all our other business units will continue to operate as normal and will not be adversely impacted by the transition of the API Group."