Due to a downturn in orders from both public-sector and private-sector customers, Ballymena-based Wrightbus has announced that it is looking to reduce its 1,700-strong workforce by up to 95 people.
Mark Nodder, Wrights Group (
www.wrightsgroup.com) CEO, said: “Along with the rest of the industry, Wrightbus is facing some very difficult conditions in its domestic market at present, with the order intake for new vehicles at relatively low levels.
“In order to remain competitive in the long term, it is vital that we promptly take steps to align our production capacity to projected demand.
“As a privately owned business and one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland, we have not come to this decision lightly.
“However, we operate in a dynamic market-place with competition from around the globe, and we must respond and react accordingly.
“We will naturally work with the union and employee representatives to ensure that we manage the process in the most sympathetic way possible.”
Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, said: “We have been warning for some time that there is a visible slowdown in capital investment, both public and private, which is impacting a number of sectors — and most notably transportation.
“Wrightbus is an extraordinary Northern Ireland success story, continually making large investments in innovation, workforce development and leadership, and it will continue to be a success.
“Along with the rest of the manufacturing sector, it would benefit from a functioning local executive and a bespoke manufacturing strategy.”