Wrightbus workers’ joy at deal to save plant

Deal agreed Workers’ joy ‘in principle’ to as 1,200 jobs buy bus maker could be saved

Workers have been through the mill so they are entitled to a bit of euphoria GEORGE BRASH UNITE SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY

CELEBRATIONS erupted at Wrightbus yesterday as news broke that a deal had been struck to save the plant.

The Co Antrim operation was placed into administration last month with the loss of 1,200 jobs.

But English industrialist Jo Bamford announced he had agreed a “deal in principle” to buy the factory and associated land from Jeff Wright.

There was jubilation among former workers at the gates of the plant in Ballymena as the news emerged.

But regional officer for the Unite union George Brash warned while a deal has been agreed in principle there remain “a few hurdles to get over”.

There are still no guarantees that all 1,200 jobs will be saved.

Mr Brash said: “We are hopeful there will be some formal deal by Tuesday next week.

“Workers have been through the mill for the last two weeks so they are entitled to a bit of euphoria.

“It is good news but we want to see that in writing and then get to the next stage and see how many people will get employed.”

MEETING

Work is understood to be continuing across the weekend and staff will be briefed on developments on Monday at a meeting at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Administrators Deloitte have not yet issued a formal statement on the deal. It is understood lawyers on all sides are poring over details ahead of meetings next week to finalise the agreement.

Land that had been a sticking point in the talks has been “gifted” to the local council for possible use in the building of an “innovation centre”.

Secretary of State Julian Smith tweeted his congratulations to those involved.

He wrote “Hoping to see this get over the line in the coming days.”

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley welcomed the developments.

He said: “I am delighted that after asking Jo Bamford to consider Ballymena as a location for a significant investment, this has resulted in this deal.”

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister also commended those involved. He added: “It’s a wonderful opportunity now to put back to work all these fantastic workers to rebuild this world-leading industry and to make this factory great again.” Worker Fred Hill said the mood has transformed from Thursday’s gloom.

He added: “It was a depressing day yesterday, very frustrating, today the sun is shining, mood is changed and

we have had good news.

“There is going to be a meeting in the showgrounds on Monday, and maybe hear a bit more information about numbers getting back to work.

“This means a lot to the people here, and I’d like to thank the people of Ballymena because the local community have been absolutely firstclass in their support for the workers.”

A dispute over the sale of assets had been the sticking point preventing an overall purchase of the business.

While the company is in the hands of the administrators, the factory and associated land are still controlled by Mr Wright.

Mr Bamford and Mr Wright were at loggerheads over the asset sale, a stand-off that had put the sale of the Wrightbus operation in jeopardy.

Yesterday, the men announced the resolution of that issue.

Mr Bamford, who is the son of JCB chairman Lord Bamford, expressed hope he could now complete the overall purchase with administrators Deloitte.

He said: “We are delighted to announce that this morning I have agreed terms on a deal in principle with the Wright family for the Wrightbus factory and land. We are still to conclude a deal with the administrators but are pleased to report this important step in the right direction.”

Mr Bamford thanked Mr Paisley for helping to mediate what he described as a “tricky negotiation”.

LEGACY

A statement from Mr Wright’s representative confirmed the deal.

A spokesman said: “Following intensive overnight negotiations between the two parties, agreement has been reached in principle over the sale of

Wrightbus to Ryse Hydrogen [Mr Bamford’s company].

“The two men at the centre of the deal, Jeff Wright and Jo Bamford, say the outcome of the negotiations involved pragmatism in arriving at an arrangement which is ultimately in the best interests of the long-term sustainability of the bus manufacturing business and jobs in the Ballymena area.” Farmland close to the factory premises had been at the heart of the dispute. Mr

Wright said as part of the deal, he had agreed to give the farmland to Mid and East Antrim Council to acknowledge the contribution of Ballymena people to the Wrightbus brand over 70 years.

He said: “This legacy gift is a tribute not only to my father, his father before him, and the Wright family members, but most importantly it is a tribute to the generations of workers who helped build a proud manufacturing tradition in Ballymena.”

Mr Wright added the local authority had confirmed the land would be used for a proposed innovation centre for

manufacturing start-ups in the area.

He said: “The Mid and East Antrim Borough Council estimates the legacy of the site and the new investment would result in 2,460 jobs with the potential to rebuild Ballymena.

“It is also has ambitious plans to secure one of the Heathrow Hubs for the town, which would see a further 5,000 engineering and manufacturing jobs for the area.

“The new innovative hubs are to be used to pre-assemble components of the expanded airport before transporting them to Heathrow.”