BAE SYSTEMS RO defence birtley site to remain open
24 Apr 2002
BAE Systems RO Defence has been in consultation with the Trades Unions, since December 2001, concerning the future of our site at Birtley, UK. As part of that process, a Joint Management and Trade Union Working Party was established to review a number of options, ranging from closure to consolidation of activities. Following a detailed review by this joint team, BAE Systems will pursue an option to consolidate its operations on the site and invest in the component manufacturing facility there.
There are currently 299 employees working at Birtley. Under the consolidation option agreed with the Trades Unions, towards the end of 2002 a phased redundancy programme will commence which will be substantially complete by the end of 2006, when it is anticipated that the workforce will be reduced by about 50%. It is anticipated that this reduction in manpower will be realised through a combination of natural attrition and voluntary means.
Due to the down-turn in current workload, BAE Systems will exit forging and cartridge case manufacture at Birtley, but will develop and grow Birtley's munitions design and manufacturing capability. The investment plan at Birtley will require the full co-operation of the workforce in order to meet the productivity targets that the joint team has agreed, and assurances have come from the Trades Unions that this co-operation will be forthcoming.
"The details of the consolidation plan have yet to be finalised, but we are confident that we have found a way forward that will allow us to continue our operations at this facility," said Clive R. Richardson, Managing Director, BAE Systems RO Defence. "When the finalised plan has been put into operation, we will have a modern and efficient factory, with working practices to match, enabled to compete effectively to win future business as a core part of RO Defence."
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