Fuel Cards News Automotive Updates: Linamar closing

Linamar, a car components plant near Swansea is to close with the loss of 200 jobs.

The Unite union is demanding “urgent talks” with the company to explore ways to keep the plant open.

Linamar says it is starting a 90 day consultation with unions but plans to move manufacturing elsewhere.

The plant which makes parts for the automotive industry has been on the site off Fabian Way since the 1960s.

It was formerly owned by Ford and Visteon before being acquired by Canada-based Linamar Corporation in 2009.

Linamar’s Chief Executive Officer Linda Hasenfratz said, “We deeply regret the impact that this decision will have on our employees, their families and the community.”

He added: “Linamar has pursued discussions on an ongoing basis relative to ensuring the facility was in a competitive position for the future. However, these discussions ultimately were not successful.”

In others news, sales of new fleet cars and vans are 50 per cent up on a year ago, although they are still not at the level they were before the recession.

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