Latest news with #PartnershipActionforContinuingEmployment
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
400 jobs at risk as Alexander Dennis seeks to ‘consolidate' bus manufacturing
Bus maker Alexander Dennis has announced up to 400 jobs could be cut as it seeks to move all its UK manufacturing work to a single site in England. The Scottish-headquartered company said it is looking at 'consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations' in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This would mean its manufacturing facility in Falkirk – which Alexander Dennis said had 'already been reduced in recent years' – would close. In addition the firm said the production lines in Larbert, where it also has its global HQ, would be suspended when current contracts are completed. The GMB Scotland union said the move was a 'hammer blow' for communities 'already reeling' from the closure of the nearby oil refinery at Grangemouth. Senior organiser Robert Deavy said: 'If the company is reviewing its future operations, it must do so with an open mind and a determination to save jobs, not shed them. 'We will do everything in our power to secure the future of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk, but so must the company and so must ministers.' Alexander Dennis said the changes would lower costs and increase efficiencies. But it added up to 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – would now be at potential risk of redundancy. Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite trade union said the end of manufacturing at Falkirk and Larbert was 'devastating'. She added: 'It is the latest huge economic blow to hit local communities on the back of the Grangemouth oil refinery closing.' Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'This will be a hugely worrying time for the workforce at Alexander Dennis, their families and the wider community.' She said the Scottish Government has in recent weeks 'engaged extensively' with the company and its parent firm NFI to 'understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies'. Ms Forbes and Scottish First Minister John Swinney have been involved in these talks, along with representatives from Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the UK Government. Ms Forbes pledged: '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.' She added that in the event of job losses, the Scottish Government would provide support through its Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative. Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said the firm is proposing a UK manufacturing strategy 'to underpin financial sustainability and lower operating costs in the face of changing and challenging market dynamics'. With Alexander Dennis dating back to 1895, Mr Davies stressed bosses 'firmly believe in our people, products and business'. But he added: 'We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive. 'It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities.' Mr Davies said this is necessary because 'the stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention and creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit'. He added: 'We have warned of the competitive imbalance for some time and would like to see policy and legislative changes that incentivise the delivery of local benefit where taxpayer money is invested. 'We strongly believe funding that supports public transport should lead to investment in local jobs, domestic supply chains, technology creation and a recurrent tax base. 'It is our hope that the forthcoming industrial strategy will provide reassurance that there is value in manufacturing within the borders of the UK and we remain hopeful of policy and legislative changes that increase the UK's focus on support for domestic manufacturing. 'Our new strategy would allow us to respond appropriately to increase local production if structural changes are made.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said part of the problem at Alexander Dennis was because SNP ministers had 'not ordered enough buses' from them. He said the Scottish Government had ordered 44 buses from the firm, contrasting this with the 200 buses ordered by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Mr Murray added the restructuring plans were a 'huge shock for the local area' but said the 45-day period that would now follow gave 'time to see if there is ways in which we can help'. Speaking for the UK Government, he added: 'We've been encouraging the Scottish Government to look at a furlough scheme for Alexander Dennis employees in order for us to be able to buy a little bit of time to work through some of the problems that the company have got.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
400 jobs at risk as Alexander Dennis seeks to ‘consolidate' bus manufacturing
Bus maker Alexander Dennis has announced up to 400 jobs could be cut as it seeks to move all its UK manufacturing work to a single site in England. The Scottish-headquartered company said it is looking at 'consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations' in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This would mean its manufacturing facility in Falkirk – which Alexander Dennis said had 'already been reduced in recent years' – would close. In addition the firm said the production lines in Larbert, where it also has its global HQ, would be suspended when current contracts are completed. The GMB Scotland union said the move was a 'hammer blow' for communities 'already reeling' from the closure of the nearby oil refinery at Grangemouth. Senior organiser Robert Deavy said: 'If the company is reviewing its future operations, it must do so with an open mind and a determination to save jobs, not shed them. 'We will do everything in our power to secure the future of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk, but so must the company and so must ministers.' Alexander Dennis said the changes would lower costs and increase efficiencies. But it added up to 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – would now be at potential risk of redundancy. Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite trade union said the end of manufacturing at Falkirk and Larbert was 'devastating'. She added: 'It is the latest huge economic blow to hit local communities on the back of the Grangemouth oil refinery closing.' Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'This will be a hugely worrying time for the workforce at Alexander Dennis, their families and the wider community.' She said the Scottish Government has in recent weeks 'engaged extensively' with the company and its parent firm NFI to 'understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies'. Ms Forbes and Scottish First Minister John Swinney have been involved in these talks, along with representatives from Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the UK Government. Ms Forbes pledged: '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.' She added that in the event of job losses, the Scottish Government would provide support through its Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative. Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said the firm is proposing a UK manufacturing strategy 'to underpin financial sustainability and lower operating costs in the face of changing and challenging market dynamics'. With Alexander Dennis dating back to 1895, Mr Davies stressed bosses 'firmly believe in our people, products and business'. But he added: 'We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive. 'It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities.' Mr Davies said this is necessary because 'the stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention and creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit'. He added: 'We have warned of the competitive imbalance for some time and would like to see policy and legislative changes that incentivise the delivery of local benefit where taxpayer money is invested. 'We strongly believe funding that supports public transport should lead to investment in local jobs, domestic supply chains, technology creation and a recurrent tax base. 'It is our hope that the forthcoming industrial strategy will provide reassurance that there is value in manufacturing within the borders of the UK and we remain hopeful of policy and legislative changes that increase the UK's focus on support for domestic manufacturing. 'Our new strategy would allow us to respond appropriately to increase local production if structural changes are made.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said part of the problem at Alexander Dennis was because SNP ministers had 'not ordered enough buses' from them. He said the Scottish Government had ordered 44 buses from the firm, contrasting this with the 200 buses ordered by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Mr Murray added the restructuring plans were a 'huge shock for the local area' but said the 45-day period that would now follow gave 'time to see if there is ways in which we can help'. Speaking for the UK Government, he added: 'We've been encouraging the Scottish Government to look at a furlough scheme for Alexander Dennis employees in order for us to be able to buy a little bit of time to work through some of the problems that the company have got.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
400 jobs at risk as Alexander Dennis seeks to ‘consolidate' bus manufacturing
The Scottish-headquartered company said it is looking at 'consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations' in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This would mean its manufacturing facility in Falkirk – which Alexander Dennis said had 'already been reduced in recent years' – would close. In addition the firm said the production lines in Larbert, where it also has its global HQ, would be suspended when current contracts are completed. The GMB Scotland union said the move was a 'hammer blow' for communities 'already reeling' from the closure of the nearby oil refinery at Grangemouth. Senior organiser Robert Deavy said: 'If the company is reviewing its future operations, it must do so with an open mind and a determination to save jobs, not shed them. 'We will do everything in our power to secure the future of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk, but so must the company and so must ministers.' Alexander Dennis said the changes would lower costs and increase efficiencies. But it added up to 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – would now be at potential risk of redundancy. Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'This will be a hugely worrying time for the workforce at Alexander Dennis, their families and the wider community.' She said the Scottish Government has in recent weeks 'engaged extensively' with the company and its parent firm NFI to 'understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies'. Ms Forbes and Scottish First Minister John Swinney have been involved in these talks, along with representatives from Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the UK Government. Ms Forbes pledged: '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.' She added that in the event of job losses, the Scottish Government would provide support through its Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative. Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said the firm is proposing a UK manufacturing strategy 'to underpin financial sustainability and lower operating costs in the face of changing and challenging market dynamics'. With Alexander Dennis dating back to 1895, Mr Davies stressed bosses 'firmly believe in our people, products and business'. But he added: 'We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive. 'It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities.' Mr Davies said this is necessary because 'the stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention and creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit'. He added: 'We have warned of the competitive imbalance for some time and would like to see policy and legislative changes that incentivise the delivery of local benefit where taxpayer money is invested. 'We strongly believe funding that supports public transport should lead to investment in local jobs, domestic supply chains, technology creation and a recurrent tax base. 'It is our hope that the forthcoming industrial strategy will provide reassurance that there is value in manufacturing within the borders of the UK and we remain hopeful of policy and legislative changes that increase the UK's focus on support for domestic manufacturing. 'Our new strategy would allow us to respond appropriately to increase local production if structural changes are made.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said part of the problem at Alexander Dennis was because SNP ministers had 'not ordered enough buses' from them. He said the Scottish Government had ordered 44 buses from the firm, contrasting this with the 200 buses ordered by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Mr Murray added the restructuring plans were a 'huge shock for the local area' but said the 45-day period that would now follow gave 'time to see if there is ways in which we can help'. Speaking for the UK Government, he added: 'We've been encouraging the Scottish Government to look at a furlough scheme for Alexander Dennis employees in order for us to be able to buy a little bit of time to work through some of the problems that the company have got.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
400 jobs at risk as Alexander Dennis seeks to ‘consolidate' bus manufacturing
The Scottish-headquartered company said it is looking at 'consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations' in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This would mean its manufacturing facility in Falkirk – which Alexander Dennis said had 'already been reduced in recent years' – would close. In addition the firm said the production lines in Larbert, where it also has its global HQ, would be suspended when current contracts are completed. Alexander Dennis said the changes would lower costs and increase efficiencies. But it added up to 400 jobs – about 22% of its workforce – would now be at potential risk of redundancy. Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'This will be a hugely worrying time for the workforce at Alexander Dennis, their families and the wider community.' She said the Scottish Government has in recent weeks 'engaged extensively' with the company and its parent firm NFI to 'understand the issues and ensure that every possible avenue is explored to mitigate the need for redundancies'. Ms Forbes and Scottish First Minister John Swinney have been involved in these talks, along with representatives from Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland and the UK Government. Ms Forbes pledged: '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.' She added that in the event of job losses, the Scottish Government would provide support through its Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative. Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said the firm is proposing a UK manufacturing strategy 'to underpin financial sustainability and lower operating costs in the face of changing and challenging market dynamics'. With Alexander Dennis dating back to 1895, Mr Davies stressed bosses 'firmly believe in our people, products and business'. But he added: 'We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive. 'It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities.' Mr Davies said this is necessary because 'the stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention and creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit'. He added: 'We have warned of the competitive imbalance for some time and would like to see policy and legislative changes that incentivise the delivery of local benefit where taxpayer money is invested. 'We strongly believe funding that supports public transport should lead to investment in local jobs, domestic supply chains, technology creation and a recurrent tax base. 'It is our hope that the forthcoming industrial strategy will provide reassurance that there is value in manufacturing within the borders of the UK and we remain hopeful of policy and legislative changes that increase the UK's focus on support for domestic manufacturing. 'Our new strategy would allow us to respond appropriately to increase local production if structural changes are made.'
The National
2 days ago
- 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."
