Union calls for wider investment to lock-in Ballymena’s status as manufacturing skills hub into the long-term

Unite Regional Officer for Wrightbus, George Brash, welcomed confirmation from the administrators of the former bus manufacturer, Deloitte, that they had been bought by Bamford Bus company.

“This news confirms the result Wrightbus workers and those in the wider Ballymena area mobilised to secure. Unite welcomes the news that Bamford bus company will buy Wrights group Ltd, Wrightbus Ltd, Wright En-Drive Ltd and Metallix Ltd – a transfer that must result in hundreds of workers’ jobs being saved. In a separate deal, Jans Composites Ltd has acquired Wright Composites Ltd.  

“These acquisitions represent a huge vote of confidence in the workforce and in the future of Ballymena as a manufacturing centre. We need to see this decision followed up by a wider programme of public investment in Ballymena to lock in these jobs for the long-term future.

“Unite will engage with our members and with the new owners to ensure the greatest possible number of workers return to what they do best, building buses. This is a highly-skilled workforce and it is vital that Ballymena continues to grow as a hub for cutting-edge bus manufacturing”, Mr Brash concluded.