The knock on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic hit Falkirk yesterday when bus maker Alexander Dennis revealed it plans to cut 650 jobs, including at least 160 in the Scottish town.
The company blamed ‘the dramatic fall in demand for new buses and coaches as a result of lockdown, social distancing and low passenger numbers’
Bus maker Alexander Dennis has launched a consultation on plans to cut 650 jobs, including at least 160 in Scotland, following a “significant fall” in demand.
Updating on a restructuring proposal first announced last month, the firm said it plans to cut 200 jobs at its site in Guildford, Surrey, 160 in Falkirk, 90 in Scarborough and 200 in support functions across its bases.
Managing director Paul Davies said: “We have no choice but to implement these tough decisions to protect the company’s future health.
“We remain confident that the situation will improve in time, and we are well placed to take advantage when that happens, but right now we have to adjust to our new economic reality.
“We continue to call upon the UK and Scottish governments to urgently introduce meaningful support to facilitate demand for new buses and coaches, not only to prevent further damage to UK bus and coach manufacturing that could threaten additional production sites, but to help build back better with a green recovery that delivers cleaner air for our towns and cities.”
Unite’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty described the announcement as “devastating”, adding that the union will not allow the “savage cuts” to go unopposed.
The bus manufacturer added: “The dramatic fall in demand for new buses and coaches as a result of lockdown, social distancing and low passenger numbers has left ADL with no alternative but to adjust its business to the current economic situation.”