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Wrightbus: 1,200 job losses confirmed as firm enters administration Wrightbus: 1,200 job losses confirmed as firm enters administration
(about 2 hours later)
About 1,200 Wrightbus workers have been made redundant after the company entered administration.About 1,200 Wrightbus workers have been made redundant after the company entered administration.
Just 50 jobs will be retained at the firm - the last UK-owned bus manufacturer - administrators said.Just 50 jobs will be retained at the firm - the last UK-owned bus manufacturer - administrators said.
The company had suffered cash flow problems and had sought investment or a new owner.The company had suffered cash flow problems and had sought investment or a new owner.
Talks with two potential buyers of the firm, best known for building the New Routemaster, known as the "Boris Bus", failed to reach a conclusion last week.Talks with two potential buyers of the firm, best known for building the New Routemaster, known as the "Boris Bus", failed to reach a conclusion last week.
Deloitte, the firm's administrator, said the lack of a buyer for Wrightbus had caused the redundancies.Deloitte, the firm's administrator, said the lack of a buyer for Wrightbus had caused the redundancies.
The Wright family, who founded Wrightbus in 1946, said "global changes from diesel to electric in bus technology have caused a sharp decline in demand for buses in the UK".The Wright family, who founded Wrightbus in 1946, said "global changes from diesel to electric in bus technology have caused a sharp decline in demand for buses in the UK".
In a statement, the family said that it moved work from its facility in Malaysia to Ballymena in a bid to secure local jobs.In a statement, the family said that it moved work from its facility in Malaysia to Ballymena in a bid to secure local jobs.
"These factors have resulted in significant losses at Wrightbus which our family have been covering for a over a year.""These factors have resulted in significant losses at Wrightbus which our family have been covering for a over a year."
But statement added: "It simply became impossible to sustain that level of support." But a statement added: "It simply became impossible to sustain that level of support."
Read more reaction here.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, union officials called for the immediate intervention of the British government.At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, union officials called for the immediate intervention of the British government.
They said they sought meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and NI Secretary Julian Smith, who they said they must "stand up for British industry".They said they sought meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and NI Secretary Julian Smith, who they said they must "stand up for British industry".
Susan Fitzgerald, from Unite, said Wrightbus had not been "an easy company to deal with" and said there had been a "lack of clarity".
"These workers have stuck together through thick and thin," she said.
"Boris Johnson needs to engage in a rescue plan to save these jobs."
Jackie Pollock, Unite's regional secretary, added "the government must intervene to save jobs and skills".Jackie Pollock, Unite's regional secretary, added "the government must intervene to save jobs and skills".
NI Secretary of State Julian Smith tweeted that he was "concerned to hear the news" about Wrightbus.
DUP MP Ian Paisley said it was a "body blow" for Ballymena and the wider Northern Ireland economy.
"Essentially from this point the administrator has a week to find a buyer," Mr Paisley said.
He told Good Morning Ulster that the news was "a real tragedy" for the company's 1,400 employees and "a further 1,700 people affected up and down the supply chain".
At the factory gates: 'I have nothing now'At the factory gates: 'I have nothing now'
by Richard Morgan, BBC News NI business reporterby Richard Morgan, BBC News NI business reporter
Staff have been arriving in a steady stream at the Wrightbus facility in Ballymena this morning.Staff have been arriving in a steady stream at the Wrightbus facility in Ballymena this morning.
The car park at the site is almost full.The car park at the site is almost full.
Norman Stephens has worked at Wrightbus for 30 years and said he is gutted.Norman Stephens has worked at Wrightbus for 30 years and said he is gutted.
"For the last five years, management has told us that they can't give us a wage rise as they were investing it in the company."For the last five years, management has told us that they can't give us a wage rise as they were investing it in the company.
"Who is going to employ a 62-year-old man? I have nothing now. That's it."Who is going to employ a 62-year-old man? I have nothing now. That's it.
"I'm off shift and due back in tomorrow night but I've been in since 8 o'clock hoping to find out if I've got a job.""I'm off shift and due back in tomorrow night but I've been in since 8 o'clock hoping to find out if I've got a job."
"The administrator will need to find someone of calibre and of real standing who has the wherewithal and the skill to take this company on," he said."The administrator will need to find someone of calibre and of real standing who has the wherewithal and the skill to take this company on," he said.
Latest accounts show that the Wrightbus group lost £1.7m on a turnover of £227m in 2017.Latest accounts show that the Wrightbus group lost £1.7m on a turnover of £227m in 2017.
But its financial situation has deteriorated since then.But its financial situation has deteriorated since then.
It made two rounds of redundancies last year with 95 jobs going in February and June, which it said reflected continued low levels of demand for new buses in the UK market.It made two rounds of redundancies last year with 95 jobs going in February and June, which it said reflected continued low levels of demand for new buses in the UK market.
The UK has traditionally been Wrightbus's biggest market but it has been contracting for over two years.The UK has traditionally been Wrightbus's biggest market but it has been contracting for over two years.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that in the second quarter of this year new bus and coach registrations are down 30% compared to the same period last year.Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that in the second quarter of this year new bus and coach registrations are down 30% compared to the same period last year.
That marks the tenth quarter in a row that new registrations have declined.That marks the tenth quarter in a row that new registrations have declined.
Wrightbus: From driving seat to financial failureWrightbus: From driving seat to financial failure
In 2012, Wrightbus was riding high. The company launched the New Routemasters, which were ordered by the then mayor Boris Johnson - and so became known as Boris Buses.In 2012, Wrightbus was riding high. The company launched the New Routemasters, which were ordered by the then mayor Boris Johnson - and so became known as Boris Buses.
It was a triumphant time for the Ballymena business, but now it's been brought low.It was a triumphant time for the Ballymena business, but now it's been brought low.
Read more on the firm's financial fall here.Read more on the firm's financial fall here.
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said it was a "matter of huge regret the firm has descended into this kind of financial uncertainty".
"I think it is a very worrying time and I feel very much for the workers," he said.
UUP leader Robin Swann said that "all efforts must be made to ensure that a buyer and a future is found for a highly-skilled workforce".
Wrightbus: The Green Pastures donationsWrightbus: The Green Pastures donations
In the last six years Wrightbus has donated more than £15m to Green Pastures, a religious charity led by the firm's majority shareholder Jeff Wright.In the last six years Wrightbus has donated more than £15m to Green Pastures, a religious charity led by the firm's majority shareholder Jeff Wright.
The donations helped it to develop plans for a huge church and village complex known as Project Gateway.The donations helped it to develop plans for a huge church and village complex known as Project Gateway.
In the wake of the firm's fall into administration, questions have been asked over the use of money.In the wake of the firm's fall into administration, questions have been asked over the use of money.
Read more here.Read more here.
TUV leader Jim Allister said the impending administration was "devastating news not just for the employees of Wrightbus but the north Antrim community and supply chain".
In March 2016, Wrightbus founder Sir William Wright became the first major business figure in Northern Ireland to voice his support for Brexit.In March 2016, Wrightbus founder Sir William Wright became the first major business figure in Northern Ireland to voice his support for Brexit.
The businessman told the Ballymena Guardian newspaper: "I am totally in favour of getting out."The businessman told the Ballymena Guardian newspaper: "I am totally in favour of getting out."