Poor US trading and the effects of the recession in other markets prompted the firm to shed 3500 jobs last year in a cost-cutting programme that trimmed its worldwide headcount to 35,000.

In the latest round of job cuts, the supplier of car parts, industrial belts and building products is to shed 2500 jobs and close 15 plants. With previous job cuts concentrated in the US, the company said 1100 of the 2500 new cuts would come in Europe. Two UK plants, one Belgian and one German, are to close.

Jim Nicol, chief executive, said he would continue to shift manufacturing to lower-cost locations and towards emerging economies, where some growth in demand remained.