In the first quarter, LDK lost $185.2m as sales dropped by nearly 75pc. " When they came to remove staff, they simply chose a percentage who would remain," said another worker outside the Hefei plant, who declined to be named. " The whole industry is doing badly, and LDK also had a strategy problem.  There is no point in worrying now.  It is simply a matter of time before the factory closes.  I give it a maximum of six months," he said.