ONE of Blackburn's major employers has announced that part of its operation is to merge with a Yorkshire-based group.

But the directors of Netlon Ltd, which employs over 350 in factories in Mill Hill and Shadsworth, say the merger is good news for the company and its staff.

Netlon, which makes netting and meshing used in everything from gardening to civil engineering, is merging its garden products division with that of the Sheffield-based TWIL Group, owners of Sentinel Garden Products.

With effect from July 1, the new, equally-owned partnership will be known as the Netlon Sentinel Partnership.

The joint venture only applies to the consumer garden products of both companies and no other lines.

Netlon has been traditionally strong in garden netting and meshes while Sentinel's main strength has been in wire products.

Both companies say the partnership will lead to increased sales and potential job opportunities at both factories.

Heading the new organisation will be Netlon general manager Murray Angus.

He said: "We are extremely excited by the new partnership which we see as an opportunity to inject new life into our sector of the gardening market which still has excellent potential for growth as the economy continues to improve and consumers spend on their gardens.

"The Partnership can only be beneficial to all the trade as it brings together two already successful and financially stable manufacturers whose combined expertise will lead to even greater sales benefits."

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