Pirelli job fears
80 ROLES AT RISK AT TYRE FACTORY DUE TO EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC:
EIGHTY jobs are at risk at one of Burton’s largest employers with bosses blaming the pandemic for the move.
Tyre manufacturer Pirelli, based in Derby Road, has confirmed it is “reorganising” one department amid a “challenging economic environment”.
Bosses at the plant, which employs 380 people, have said drivers are not using cars as often as they were before the pandemic and the lockdowns have hit the tyres trade.
Pirelli has confirmed that 80 jobs are affected at the main factory.
A worker at the firm informed the Burton Mail about jobs being under threat.
In a statement, Pirelli said: “Pirelli reaffirms its commitment to the UK and to maintaining industrial operations at both its UK locations, Carlisle and Burton, having invested 70 million euro from 2018 to 2020 and proceeding with planned investments of around 20 million euro in 2021.
“Considering the challenging economic outlook, compounded by the Covid-19 emergency, Pirelli will reorganise one department at Burton.
“Last year the critical economic and healthcare situation led to a decline of 29.4 per cent of new car registrations in the UK (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) and a fall in car usage, which at the end of January was down -48.3 per cent compared with a year earlier (Department of Transport).
“The company will now initiate a period of consultation with the unions to ensure that all necessary support is provided to affected workers.
“For Pirelli, the UK operation remains a valuable part of the group’s global industrial footprint and central to the service of local customers.”
Last year the plant stopped production between March and May, before putting in tight social distancing restrictions.
Unions have been contacted for comment.