Latest news with #CraigWaterson
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fears over 90 jobs at supplier to bus maker Alexander Dennis
Nearly 100 workers at a Fife firm that supplies parts to bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis have been told they are at risk of being made redundant. Dunfermline-based Greenfold Systems told 90 members of staff on Friday that their jobs could go as a knock-on effect of Alexander Dennis planning to move its operations to England. Greenfold Systems constructs the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for the Alexander Dennis factories in Falkirk and Larbert. Business and Employment Secretary Richard Lochhead said he was "very disappointed" to learn about the job threat and offered Scottish government assistance to the firm and its workers. Earlier this month, Alexander Dennis announced it was planning to move its full operation to a site in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The plan would see its sites in Falkirk and Larbert close with the loss of 400 jobs. The wider economic impact of any closure would be felt among the suppliers to the plants, such as Greenfold Systems. News of the redundancy threat was first reported by The Courier. Greenfold's managing director Craig Waterson told the newspaper that Alexander Dennis was a "sizeable customer" and added it was a "difficult situation" for the company. He added: "What happens with Alexander Dennis 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 Alexander Dennis situation." The managing director of Alexander Dennis has said that orders for hundreds of new vehicles may not be enough to keep its Scottish sites open. Speaking to MSPs, Paul Davies said the company would need to win orders for at least 70 new buses this year and 300 next year to keep its Falkirk and Larbert operations going. But he said this alone may not be sufficient and he could not commit to keeping the sites open. Business and Employment Secretary 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. "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." Greenfold Systems has been approached for comment.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Fears over 90 jobs at Dunfermline supplier to bus maker Alexander Dennis
Nearly 100 workers at a Fife firm that supplies parts to bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis have been told they are at risk of being made Greenfold Systems told 90 members of staff on Friday that their jobs could go as a knock-on effect of Alexander Dennis planning to move its operations to Systems constructs the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for the Alexander Dennis factories in Falkirk and Larbert. Business and Employment Secretary Richard Lochhead said he was "very disappointed" to learn about the job threat and offered Scottish government assistance to the firm and its workers. Earlier this month, Alexander Dennis announced it was planning to move its full operation to a site in Scarborough, North plan would see its sites in Falkirk and Larbert close with the loss of 400 wider economic impact of any closure would be felt among the suppliers to the plants, such as Greenfold Systems. News of the redundancy threat was first reported by The managing director Craig Waterson told the newspaper that Alexander Dennis was a "sizeable customer" and added it was a "difficult situation" for the added: "What happens with Alexander Dennis 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 Alexander Dennis situation." The managing director of Alexander Dennis has said that orders for hundreds of new vehicles may not be enough to keep its Scottish sites to MSPs, Paul Davies said the company would need to win orders for at least 70 new buses this year and 300 next year to keep its Falkirk and Larbert operations he said this alone may not be sufficient and he could not commit to keeping the sites open. 'Difficult time for the employees' Business and Employment Secretary 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."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."Greenfold Systems has been approached for comment.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Nearly 100 jobs at risk as Scots manufacturing firm plans to move to England
A notice of risk of redundancy was issued to employees on Friday 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. 3 It comes as a knock-on effect of bus company Alexander Dennis planning to move operations to England Credit: PA 3 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. Hundreds of Scots Jobs 'At Risk' as H&M Plans Call Centre Closure "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. 3 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.
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
90 jobs at risk at Fife firm that supplies parts to Alexander Dennis
The company said it was the result of plans announced by bus manufacturer ADL – one of Greenfold's major customers – to close its Scottish sites in order to consolidate its manufacturing business at a single site in Yorkshire. Greenfold specialises in metal fabrication, cable and wiring, kitting and assembly, with reportedly about half of its staff working on constructing the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for ADL. 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. 'What happens with ADL remains to be seen. We would, of course, like a clearer answer but we're not going to get one anytime soon,' he said. '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.' 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. Read More Earlier this month, the company said it could lose as many as 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – if plans to close its Falkirk plant and cease operations at the nearby Larbert factory go ahead. 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. '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. '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.'
The National
17 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Fife-based manufacturing firm announces 90 jobs face redundancy
Greenfold Systems, a manufacturing firm based in Dunfermline, confirmed that a notice of risk of redundancy had been issued to its employees on Friday, according to The Courier. The firm, which specialises in metal fabrication, cable and wiring along with assembly, said the decision comes following the announcement by one of its major customers, bus firm Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL), plans to move its operation to England, closing its Scottish sites. Reportedly, around half of Greenfold's staff work on constructing the sides, interdecks and roofs of buses for ADL, with one of the three buildings owned by the Dunfermline firm dedicated to the work. READ MORE: Irn-Bru owner in advanced talks with potential buyer for drinks brand facing closure Earlier in June, ADL announced its plans to close its sites in Falkirk and Larbert and move its manufacturing to Scarborough, which would lead to around 400 jobs being lost. Greenfold Systems managing director, Craig Waterson, told The Courier his firm was preparing for all eventualities. 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.' (Image: PA) Greenfold was supplying parts for 12 buses per week to ADL a few years ago, but the number has gradually reduced to just five a week. However, Waterson said the rest of the company's order book was strong as he added: 'It's a difficult situation. We've got a good business but the ADL situation will affect us to some degree. 'We have a business continuity plan in the event of any customer pull-out. ADL is a sizeable customer. 'ADL have pulled out three times before and we've survived the previous three occasions, not without difficulty. The strength of the rest of our order book is good. 'We are under consultation with ADL and I hope that has a positive outcome.' When ADL announced its plans to move manufacturing away from Scotland, the firm warned that for every job in bus manufacturing, there is a multiplier of three to four jobs in the wider supply chain and support services. At the time, Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis's president and managing director, said the proposed plans were 'extremely regrettable,' but added his firm 'must take significant action' to drive efficiency. MSPs were told this week the closure of ADL's Scottish sites would be 'catastrophic' for an area already struggling following the recent wind-down of Scotland's last refinery in Grangemouth. Appearing before the Economy and Fair Work Committee at Holyrood, Derek Thomson, the Scotland regional secretary for trade union Unite, said: 'It'll be catastrophic in Falkirk and Larbert to lose that amount of jobs.'
