Alexander Dennis puts Falkirk factory site up for sale despite talks continuing to save 400 jobs
Alexander Dennis has put one of its two factory sites in Falkirk up for sale despite high-level talks continuing to try and save 400 jobs at the historic firm.
The bus manufacturer announced in June it planned to shutter its Scottish operation and switch all production to England. A consultation with impacted staff is on-going and is due to end on August 15.
Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister said this week she remained "optimistic" a deal could be agreed with Alexander Dennis (ADL) to protect jobs and ensure bus making continued in Falkirk.
But ADL has since put its 14-acre factory in Camelon up for sale. The agents marketing the extensive site describe it as "an excellent housing opportunity" which could provide space for "circa 174 homes".
The company today insisted the sales listing "does not represent a foregone conclusion". It comes after Forbes met with the Unite and GMB unions on Monday to update on talks with ADL.
The Camelon factory has been in operation since 1958 and is understood to require substantial investment to ensure its long-term use. ADL's other factory in Larbert has seen "signigicant" investment in recent years.
The Scottish Government did not say whether it was aware ADL had listed one of its two factories for sale when asked by the Record. In a statement, Forbes said: "We are working constructively with Alexander Dennis Ltd, the unions, the wider public transport sector and the UK Government on supporting and expanding the market for electric buses.
"This is all aimed at securing and creating jobs, helping to meet our climate targets and providing a sustainable future for the bus manufacturing industry, which plays an important role in the Scottish and UK economies."
ADL, which manufactures single and double decker buses, previously claimed its proposed restructuring would lower costs and increase efficiency.
The firm's president and managing director Paul Davies said in June: "We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating model to be competitive. It is extremely regrettable that as part of this, we must place jobs at potential risk of redundancy and propose to cease manufacturing operations at some of our facilities."
He told MSPs last month ADL would need to win contracts for 70 new buses this year and 300 next year to keep operations in Falkirk and Larbert running. He said the Scarborough facility was capable of producing about 1,200 buses a year.
Asked about the sale of its Camelon plant, a spokesperson for ADL told the Record: "This does not represent a foregone conclusion and a final decision has not yet been made.
"We have been honest with stakeholders about the need to address the condition of the Falkirk site for some time, which is why significant investment was made to expand our Larbert site for vehicle manufacturing during 2023 and 2024. Alexander Dennis continues to engage with governments in good faith and the company remains committed to exploring all possible outcomes at this time."
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