Latest news with #PaulDavies
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wolverhampton-based drinks giant to move to huge M6 logistics hub
Carlsberg Britvic, owner of Wolverhampton's Banks's brewery, says it is to relocate from the city to a new huge, purpose-built logistics hub by the M6 drinks giant has been announced as the first occupier of the 222,000 sq ft West Midlands Interchange (WMI) based at junction 12 of the M6 in company said it would leave its base in Wolverhampton "as part of a managed transition" once the site opened from autumn Davies, CEO of Carlsberg Britvic, said the £4m investment underscores their long-term commitment to "strengthening our operations" and our home within the region. The new depot is under construction with on-site work starting in October Oxford Properties and Logistics Capital Partners (LCP) said it will have state-of-the-art facilities and aim to a "net zero carbon aligned building", with roofs "optimised" for PV facility will create 8,500 jobs for people in South Staffordshire, the Black Country, the West Midlands and other surrounding areas, developers said as building work began, as well as including a key strategic rail freight Markby, managing partner at LCP, said the site will become "the country's most significant rail-served logistics development" and a crucial component of the UK's strategic freight network. "It will be key to decarbonising UK logistics and supporting the country's wider net zero aspirations," he Britvic said the announcement added to its continued investment in its UK operations, having already committed more than £6m to upgrading its Burton Brewery."The new facility will be a massive investment in the region, providing a new base for our depot team in Wolverhampton," Mr Davies added."The West Midlands Interchange provides an ideal location for our new depot, enabling us to future-proof our logistics infrastructure and build for sustainable growth."The drinks company formed in 2024 through the merger of Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) and October plans were announced to close Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton after 150 years in operation as part of a restructuring of CMBC.A month later the firm was accused by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) of "wiping out UK brewing heritage" following it decision to cut a number of beers sold in pubs, including classic ales Banks's Mild and Bombardier, Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
STV News
5 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Scottish Government 'exploring all viable options' to save jobs at Alexander Dennis
Scottish ministers are working with bus operators to drum up interest for much-needed orders from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), the finance secretary has said. The bus manufacturer is currently consulting on proposals to close operations in Scotland and move to a single site in Yorkshire due to financial concerns, with 400 jobs potentially at risk. Appearing before MSPs last month, Alexander Dennis managing director Paul Davies said the decision was not a 'done deal', but the company would need to see a significant rise in bus orders – between 70 and 100 by the end of the year and 300-400 next year – to remain open. In a letter to Colin Smyth, the convener of Holyrood's Economy and Fair Work Committee, finance secretary Shona Robison said the Government is committed to looking at 'all viable options' and ministers are working with private bus companies. 'I agree about the importance of securing a short-term pipeline of orders,' she said. 'Please be assured that we are therefore liaising with commercial bus operators and local transport authorities to establish the current demand for double-deck buses in Scotland and are working alongside UK Government to identify demand in other parts of the UK. 'I am in full agreement with you about the importance of Alexander Dennis to Scotland and of retaining the jobs of the highly-skilled workers. 'That is why we are continuing to work at pace with Scottish Enterprise and UK Government, and alongside the company and trade unions, to explore all viable options to support ADL to retain bus manufacturing in Scotland.' Robison also suggested ADL 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. She 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. 'Scottish ministers and officials consistently make representation on the development of the subsidy control regime for the benefit of Scottish businesses,' she said. 'However, as this is a reserved matter, it is ultimately for UK Government to make the final decision on any changes to the regime.' 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 £15.6 billion 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
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison
The Prime Minister has been told more orders need to be placed at the bus manufacturer's Scottish bases. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish ministers are working with bus operators to drum up interest for much-needed orders from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), the Finance Secretary has said. The bus manufacturer is currently consulting on proposals to close operations in Scotland and move to a single site in Yorkshire due to financial concerns, with 400 jobs potentially at risk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Appearing before MSPs last month, Alexander Dennis managing director Paul Davies said the decision was not a 'done deal', but the company would need to see a significant rise in bus orders – between 70 and 100 by the end of the year and 300-400 next year – to remain open. Around 400 jobs in Scotland are at risk. | Michael Gillen/National World In a letter to Colin Smyth, the convener of Holyrood's Economy and Fair Work Committee, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the Government is committed to looking at 'all viable options' and ministers are working with private bus companies. 'I agree about the importance of securing a short-term pipeline of orders,' she said. 'Please be assured that we are therefore liaising with commercial bus operators and local transport authorities to establish the current demand for double-deck buses in Scotland and are working alongside UK Government to identify demand in other parts of the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I am in full agreement with you about the importance of Alexander Dennis to Scotland and of retaining the jobs of the highly-skilled workers. 'That is why we are continuing to work at pace with Scottish Enterprise and UK Government, and alongside the company and trade unions, to explore all viable options to support ADL to retain bus manufacturing in Scotland.' Ms Robison also suggested ADL 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. At Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Sir Keir Starmer said the Labour Party is working with English mayors to put orders for zero emissions buses into Alexander Dennis in a bid to save the company from closure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman asked: 'Alexander Dennis needs commitment for orders in 2025 and 2026, and elected mayors are ideally placed to do this. 'Where things are made and by whom matters - can the Prime Minister assure Alexander Dennis and its workers that he believes bus manufacturing should have a future in Larbert and Falkirk?' In response, Sir Keir said: 'This is a deeply concerning time for workers and their families and I do agree. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are working with mayors on delivering a pipeline for future orders for zero emission buses, that's an important aspect here. 'The local transport minister is hosting an urgent meeting with the bus manufacturing expert panel.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer | Stefan Rousseau/Press Association The Prime Minister then hit out at the Scottish Government after it was revealed it had ordered new buses from China rather than from Alexander Dennis. He added: 'While Labour mayors in England are ordering Scottish buses, the SNP is ordering buses from China, just like they ordered ferries from Turkey and Poland.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison
Scottish ministers are working with bus operators to drum up interest for much-needed orders from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), the Finance Secretary has said. The bus manufacturer is currently consulting on proposals to close operations in Scotland and move to a single site in Yorkshire due to financial concerns, with 400 jobs potentially at risk. Appearing before MSPs last month, Alexander Dennis managing director Paul Davies said the decision was not a 'done deal', but the company would need to see a significant rise in bus orders – between 70 and 100 by the end of the year and 300-400 next year – to remain open. In a letter to Colin Smyth, the convener of Holyrood's Economy and Fair Work Committee, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the Government is committed to looking at 'all viable options' and ministers are working with private bus companies. 'I agree about the importance of securing a short-term pipeline of orders,' she said. 'Please be assured that we are therefore liaising with commercial bus operators and local transport authorities to establish the current demand for double-deck buses in Scotland and are working alongside UK Government to identify demand in other parts of the UK. 'I am in full agreement with you about the importance of Alexander Dennis to Scotland and of retaining the jobs of the highly-skilled workers. 'That is why we are continuing to work at pace with Scottish Enterprise and UK Government, and alongside the company and trade unions, to explore all viable options to support ADL to retain bus manufacturing in Scotland.' Ms Robison also suggested ADL 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. She 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. 'Scottish ministers and officials consistently make representation on the development of the subsidy control regime for the benefit of Scottish businesses,' she said. 'However, as this is a reserved matter, it is ultimately for UK Government to make the final decision on any changes to the regime.'
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison
The bus manufacturer is currently consulting on proposals to close operations in Scotland and move to a single site in Yorkshire due to financial concerns, with 400 jobs potentially at risk. Appearing before MSPs last month, Alexander Dennis managing director Paul Davies said the decision was not a 'done deal', but the company would need to see a significant rise in bus orders – between 70 and 100 by the end of the year and 300-400 next year – to remain open. In a letter to Colin Smyth, the convener of Holyrood's Economy and Fair Work Committee, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the Government is committed to looking at 'all viable options' and ministers are working with private bus companies. 'I agree about the importance of securing a short-term pipeline of orders,' she said. 'Please be assured that we are therefore liaising with commercial bus operators and local transport authorities to establish the current demand for double-deck buses in Scotland and are working alongside UK Government to identify demand in other parts of the UK. 'I am in full agreement with you about the importance of Alexander Dennis to Scotland and of retaining the jobs of the highly-skilled workers. 'That is why we are continuing to work at pace with Scottish Enterprise and UK Government, and alongside the company and trade unions, to explore all viable options to support ADL to retain bus manufacturing in Scotland.' Ms Robison also suggested ADL 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. She 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. 'Scottish ministers and officials consistently make representation on the development of the subsidy control regime for the benefit of Scottish businesses,' she said. 'However, as this is a reserved matter, it is ultimately for UK Government to make the final decision on any changes to the regime.'
