Scottish bus manufacturing firm starts redundancy process with 160 jobs at risk

Alexander Dennis, which is owned by Canadian manufacturing company NFI Group Inc. and is based in Falkirk, broke the news on Thursday afternoon.

The firm said a consultation process had been launched due to both the Scottish and UK Government’s zero-emission bus funding “disproportionately benefitting” competitors with lower labour costs.

The company also took aim at Scottish Government Fair Work First standards, which isn’t a requirement of suppliers whose productions take place in other countries.

“Neither are bus operators incentivised or rewarded for choosing companies that meet Fair Work First standards when funding is awarded. This not only puts domestic manufacturers at further competitive disadvantage but also undermines the value of this flagship policy as government-funded work is shipped offshore,” the statement read.

“As a result of the combined effects of these policies on the UK bus market, Alexander Dennis must consider options to match production capacity with its order book, particularly in its Scottish manufacturing facilities.

“A statutory consultation has been launched with 160 roles in Scotland at potential risk of redundancy.”