24/09/2009

Jaguar Confirms Plant Closure

Car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover plans to shut one of its West Midlands factories within the next five years, it was revealed today.

The plant set for the chop looks likely to be either Solihull or Birmingham-based Castle Bromwich.

However, the company will create around 800 new jobs at its Halewood plant on Merseyside, where new Land Rovers are to be assembled.

According to Jaguar Land Rover, there will be no net job losses.

Despite reassurances, union bosses are not convinced.

GMB's Bert Hill said: "We will be opposing everything we have heard so far. We will fight the company on this - of that I have no doubt."

Jaguar Land Rover has conceded some "natural wastage" would occur from the production transition.

The Indian owed firm currently employs around 5,000 workers at it Solihull plant, 2,000 in Castle Bromwich and 1,800 through its Halewood operations.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said he welcomed the confidence Jaguar Land Rover has shown in local talents.

(PR/GK)

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