Seddon Atkinson's workforce, now 240, is expected to drop by 20 or so this year.

ECONOMIST: The economy

He is general manager of Seddon Atkinson, which makes vehicles for municipalities and utilities, such as dustbin lorries.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Seddon Atkinson is making a new product range that it had hoped to sell across Europe and thus build up its scale of operation.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Although Seddon Atkinson has been able to cut its costs and prices a bit in sterling terms, because around 25% of its materials are imported from the euro area, its European rivals have enjoyed an even greater advantage.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Seddon Atkinson already had problems.

ECONOMIST: The economy