A Scots factory is set to close and move work to England with the loss of 130 jobs .
Bosses at the Cummins UK diesel engine factory in Cumbernauld say it no longer has a “sustainable future”.
The firm, which specialises in the distribution of Cummins engines and generators for marine, retail, oil and gas, and telecommunications, has operated in the North Lanarkshire town for 30 years.
On Wednesday Unite the Union condemned the decision by the American-owned plant.
Unite regional industrial officer, Pat McIlvogue, said: “The announcement by Cummins to close its operations and to transfer the work to England is a bitter pill to swallow for the workforce. Around 130 skilled manufacturing jobs could be lost unless the Scottish Government, North Lanarkshire Council and all interested parties urgently meet to explore every avenue to keep these jobs in Cumbernauld. Unite will do everything we can to ensure that this happens and we will provide every assistance to the workers during this period of uncertainty. ”
Cummins UK said that it is beginning a process of consultation with staff and unions about possible closure and said the manufacturing facility at Cumbernauld needs more than £3million of investment to meet company standards.
A spokesman for the firm said: “We’ve been operating in Cumbernauld for over 30 years but have sadly concluded that despite significant efforts to improve competitiveness, we cannot secure a sustainable future for the facility in the long-term.
“We fully recognise today’s announcement brings uncertainty, but we will provide all the support we can to minimise the impact on our employees, their families, our suppliers and the local community.
“Cummins has a proud record of investing in manufacturing across the UK. If a decision is taken to close this facility, it will be extremely difficult, but in the face
of challenging economic circumstances we must consider all options to improve the efficiency of our operations in order to offer industry leading service to our customers.”
