Stamford generator plant closure puts 500 jobs at risk

Cummins Generator Technologies said its Barnack Road site was not sustainable

Up to 500 jobs are at risk at a manufacturing plant in Stamford which is set to close.

Cummins Generator Technologies said it will shut its facility in Barnack Road in the next 12 months.

The company, which makes generators, said despite investment the site was unsustainable.

The Unite union, which represents workers at the plant, said it was a massive blow to the economy in Lincolnshire.

More on this and other local stories from across Lincolnshire

Cummins, which is one of Stamford's biggest employers, said it remains committed to maintaining a presence in the town and plans to invest in a new technical centre of excellence at its Ryhall Road facility.

This is expected to create 150 new jobs.

The company said it hopes to keep redundancies to a minimum and will look to find alternative positions for staff at its other UK sites.

'Terrible news'

In a statement, the firm said: "We recognise the impact that closing our Barnack Road facility will have, but despite extensive efforts we have sadly not been able to secure a sustainable future for the site.

"We remain committed to Stamford and believe our new centre of excellence will allow us to establish a deeper technical presence now, and for the long-term.

"We will be actively working to support our employees and the community during the transition."

In a statement, Unite regional officer Scott Lennon described the announced as "terrible news for the workers".

He said the company appeared to be blaming the state of the UK economy and Brexit for the decision.

"There are also proposals to move some production to Romania," he added

Mr Lennon said Unite would be pressing the firm for answers over the closure at a meeting on Monday.

Cummins has had operations in the UK for more than 50 years and currently has eight facilities, employing 4,500 employees, across 23 sites.