Latest news with #AlexanderDennis'
STV News
01-08-2025
- Business
- STV News
Alexander Dennis site up for sale amid consultation to close Scottish operations
Alexander Dennis' Falkirk site has been put up for sale as the bus manufacturer consults on proposals to shut Scottish operations. Due to financial concerns, the company is considering moving away from the Larbert location to a single site in Yorkshire, potentially putting 400 jobs at risk. The manufacturers made a 'significant investment' to expand the Falkirk location during 2023 and 2024. The company states although the Larbert location is listed for sale, a 'final decision' is still to be made A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis said: 'This does not represent a foregone conclusion and a final decision has not yet been made. 'We have been honest with stakeholders about the need to address the condition of the Falkirk site for some time, which is why significant investment was made to expand our Larbert site for vehicle manufacturing during 2023 and 2024. 'Alexander Dennis continues to engage with governments in good faith and the company remains committed to exploring all possible outcomes at this time.' STV News Due to financial concerns, the company is considering moving away from the Larbert location to a single site in Yorkshire Fife-based bus manufacturer Greenfold Systems Ltd in Dunfermline has already entered administration and made 81 employees redundant as a knock-on effect of Alexander Dennis' plans to pull out of Scotland. The company employed a total of 90 staff, with nine staying on a short-term basis to complete a customer contract. Finance secretary Shona Robison previously said the Government is committed to looking at 'all viable options' and ministers are working with private bus companies to drum up interest for much-needed orders. She also suggested Alexander Dennis could be forced to pay back money it has been given by the Government's commercial arm Scottish Enterprise for skills and technological development, though it would be for the agency to decide how to proceed. The finance secretary also stressed the issues the Government faces due to UK-wide state aid regulations, which govern the level to which ministers can intervene in private businesses. STV News Alexander Dennis states although the Larbert location is listed for sale, a 'final decision' is still to be made Robison said the Subsidy Control Act does not allow for subsidies which enforce the use of domestically-made goods and services, which would hamper the Scottish Government's efforts to force bus firms to use Alexander Dennis. A UK Government spokesperson said: 'The UK is a global leader in bus manufacturing, and around 60% of buses funded through our zero-emission regional bus programme are being built by UK-based companies, supporting jobs and a greener transport network. 'Alexander Dennis has a strong future in the UK's growing zero-emission bus market. Through the spending review, we have committed £15.6bn to local leaders to boost services and green fleets across the UK. 'We're also giving regional leaders and leading manufacturers a voice on zero-emission plans, through the UK bus manufacturing expert panel, which seeks to put local people at the heart of bus building.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
11-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish Government responds as Alexander Dennis set to move to England
On Wednesday, Alexander Dennis announced it will look at consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough, England. The proposal would mean its Scottish-based manufacturing site in Falkirk, which has already been reduced in recent years, would be discontinued and closed. Around 400 roles in Scotland are at risk of redundancy - approximately 22% of Alexander Dennis' UK workforce. Around 400 jobs are set to be lost (Image: NQ) The company said the proposed plans were "extremely regrettable" but that "significant action" needed to be taken to drive efficiency. The Scottish Government has since responded to the announcement, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes saying it was "a worrying time" for the staff, their families and the wider community. READ MORE: Scottish Government rules out reopening national park process Forbes (below) said: 'In recent weeks, the Scottish Government has engaged extensively with Alexander Dennis and its parent company NFI to understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies. 'This has included discussions with myself, the First Minister, leadership within Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland and the UK Government. 'The Scottish Government will continue to explore any and all options throughout the consultation period to allow the firm to retain their hard-working employees and manufacturing and production facilities at Falkirk and Larbert. 'In the event of any job losses, the Scottish Government will provide support through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative.' READ MORE: Scottish Government receives more than 80 Grangemouth projects proposals Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney wrote on Twitter/X: "This will be an incredibly worrying time for workers at Alexander Dennis and their families. "The Scottish Government will leave no stone unturned and explore all options that could protect jobs and manufacturing at Larbert. "We stand ready to support anyone affected."
