An MP called the closure plans of an American medical manufacturing company in south Wales, which threaten 540 jobs, shocking.
A "significant investment" will be required, according to Zimmer Biomet, a manufacturer of hip and knee replacements, to maintain operations at its Bridgend facility.
The announcement was "absolutely shocking, it hasn't really sunk in," according to Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis.
He claimed he was "not aware" of the company's request for financial assistance.
"Trying to recover from is the situation. He said on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, "That shock. What we can do right now is try to work with the company and help those who are affected. ".
He claimed that Zimmer Bioment had "outright promised me that if they ever learned that the jobs were in jeopardy, they would notify me.".
Instead, he claimed that he learned of the closure an hour before it was officially announced, which he deemed to be "unacceptable.".
The start of a six-month consultation with employees will be followed by a meeting between Zimmer Biomet and Unite, the union that represents workers at the plant, to discuss what comes next.
Maria Silva, the plant director, promised to "consider alternatives and determine how to minimize job loss.".
In a statement, Unite promised to "fight for jobs and a viable future for the site."
