Rolls-Royce plant to scrap over 200 jobs

Rolls-Royce will make a “necessary” reduction in the workforce at its aerospace plant in Inchinnan, which is feared will see as many as 211 jobs – more than a fifth of the plant’s 1,000-strong workforce – lost.

A spokesperson for the firm said the decision was partly attributable to “challenging market conditions”, as well as the transferring of work away from the Renfrewshire facility.

The news comes little over a year after the closure of the prestigious firm’s East Kilbride facility was announced, at which point the company said its 600-person workforce would be transferred to the Inchinnan plant by 2015.

Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, executive vice president, compressor components, said that the company is “continuing to transfer our operations from East Kilbride to maximise efficiency”, but the necessity of its job cuts were “a sign of the increasingly competitive market in which we operate”.

He said the decision “will ensure we remain competitive and are best placed for any opportunities that may appear in the future”.

Cholerton’s words echo those of Rolls-Royce East Kilbride managing director, Alex McMillan, who said in August 2012 that the EK plant closure would “enable us to maximise efficiency at the nearby Inchinnan facility, helping us to become even more competitive”.

Officials at trade union Unite said they were “dismayed” and would seek urgent meetings with management to “mitigate these significant cuts”.

Pat Rafferty, Unite’s Scottish secretary, called for the Scottish Government to intervene immediately, saying that the announcement was a “blow” for the Scottish economy and that “we cannot afford to lose 200 skilled aerospace jobs in this fragile climate”.

SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Derek MacKay, whose constituency includes the plant, said it was “worrying news for all those working at Inchinnan and their families”.

He said: “I have spoken to the Finance Secretary and have been assured that the PACE team will be available to support anyone facing redundancy and that the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are in contact with Rolls Royce.”

He added that the Inchinnan plant “has been a real success story for the area”, and indicated that he would also seek meetings with management as soon as possible “to discuss their continued presence in the area”.