Nearly 100 jobs at risk as Scots manufacturing firm plans to move to England
STAFF FEARS Nearly 100 jobs at risk as Scots manufacturing firm plans to move to England
AROUND 90 jobs are at risk at a Scottish manufacturing firm.
Staff at Greenfold Systems Ltd in Dunfermline, Fife, have been told they could be made redundant due to a knock-on effect of bus company Alexander Dennis planning to move operations to England.
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It comes as a knock-on effect of bus company Alexander Dennis planning to move operations to England
Credit: PA
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Around half of Greenfold staff are working on constructing parts for ADL buses
Credit: Alamy
The firm specialises in metal fabrication, cable and wiring along with assembly.
And around half of its staff are working on constructing parts for the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL).
One of the company's three buildings is dedicated to the work on buses.
A notice of risk of redundancy was issued to employees on Friday.
Speaking to The Courier, Greenfold Systems managing director Craig Waterson described ADL as a "sizeable customer", and said it was a "difficult situation" for the company.
He said: "What happens with ADL remains to be seen. We would, of course, like a clearer answer but we're not going to get one any time soon.
"A communication has been issued to staff essentially telling them that their jobs are at risk as a result of the ADL situation.
"We will give another update when we know more. We are weighing up life with and without ADL."
Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar Graeme Downie has written to First Minister John Swinney about the threat of job losses at Greenfold.
Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said: "This will be an extremely difficult time for the workforce at Greenfold Systems, and my thoughts are with them today.
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"The SNP's failure to support bus building and buying in Scotland is inflicting a chain reaction of misery for workers and local communities across the country.
"If the SNP government are serious about delivering for our economy, they should be sitting down with the firm to thrash out a solution and finally get behind Scottish manufacturing."
Secretary for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said: "I am very disappointed to learn that Greenfold Systems Ltd has entered into consultation with a view to making redundancies at its Dunfermline site.
"This will be a difficult time for the employees at risk of losing their jobs, their families and for the local area. Scottish Enterprise will engage with the company to better understand the reasons for this decision and whether it can offer any assistance.
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Around 90 jobs are currently at risk at Greenfold Systems Ltd in Dunfermline
Credit: Google
"The people affected by this announcement are our immediate priority and the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to help those affected through our initiative for responding to potential redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment."
Alexander Dennis announced that around 400 jobs are currently at risk after announcing shock plans to move operations to England.
The company, which has factories in Falkirk and Larbert, Stirlingshire, said it was considering switching manufacturing to a site in Scarborough, Yorkshire.
The plans would see work at the Falkirk site discontinued while the Larbert hub would be closed after current contracts are completed.
The company said it was facing strong competition from Chinese electric bus manufacturers whose share of the market had risen from 10% to 35%.
ADL director Paul Davies told a committee of MPs on Thursday that the closure of its Scottish sites was "not a done deal", but that orders for up to 100 buses and changes to regulation would be needed before the end of the year.
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