Jobs worry after Wrightbus seek new investor

Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus says it's seeking investors

They employ around 1,400 staff across Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, the company announced Deloitte have been appointed to find potential investors.

The company relased a statement this afternoon:

"As Wrightbus continues to expand its global customer base, there is increased complexity to tailor our products to the climate, territory and operating characteristics of our diverse customer base.

"To strengthen the company’s ability to accelerate its development of these new technologies Deloitte is working with the company to explore the potential of bringing on board an investor.

"This is to ensure that the skills and talents of our Ballymena workforce continue to deliver cutting-edge transport vehicles to our customers near and far.

"The company continues to win new business and this is evident in the recent uptake of our zero emission fuel cell vehicles bolstering a strong 2019 order book".

Unite the Union say they are seeking clarification on the issue, and the potential impact on jobs.

Regional Officer George Brash said the union has recently held meetings with the department of Infrastructure attended by Invest NI to outline the union’s perspective on developments at Wrightbus:

“Wrightbus is a major employer, and reports that the company is seeking new investors have given rise to concerns among the workforce and the wider Ballymena community. Unite is seeking an urgent meeting with the company to address the genuine concerns which today’s news reports have raised for our members. The workforce in Wrightbus deserve full transparency”, Mr Brash said.