Fort car wheels plant could be rolling by 2020 says boss
BOSSES of the multi-national giant behind plans for an aluminium car wheel factory in Fort William say they see no major obstacles to the plant being up and running by 2020.
That was the message from the first of several public consultation events in Fort William last week.
GFG Alliance wants to build the factory as an expansion of its £330million acquisition last year of the former Rio Tinto smelter at Fort William. The wheels plant would employ 400 people.
Speaking to the Lochaber Times, Brian King, managing director of GFG Alliance’s subLOCHABER sidiary Liberty British Aluminium, said he hoped a planning application could be submitted as early as the end of this month.
‘Through the pre-application process we have in Scotland, they have given us good guidance on what we have to focus on. We feel confident there are no major obstacles. We have seen nothing to concern us,’ said Mr King. ‘The challenges ahead are attracting the workforce. It is creating the lifestyle option that will attract people to Fort William. The money is there.’
If a planning application can be submitted by the end of this month, with consent granted in the first quarter of next year, Mr King said construction would start in the second quarter of next year and commissioning of the plant in the first few months of 2020. Mr King added: ‘This is extremely challenging but that is part of the excitement. I am extremely confident we will make it happen. It is a fantastic opportunity for the area. It is bringing lots of jobs – high tech and long term jobs.’
And Mr King is confident the UK car industry, faced with the uncertainties caused by Brexit, will welcome the car wheels plant project.
'Due to the Brexit situation, car manufacturers have a concern about sourcing overseas components. If we can help fill the void, that is welcomed by the UK car industry,' he said.
If the project gets the green light from planners, the plant will convert liquid aluminium from the smelter into around two million alloy wheels every year.
Last week it was revealed the proposed wheels factory could infringe two historical battlefield sites of national significance and, as a result, GFG Alliance has commissioned an archaeological study to ascertain any potential impact.