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PRIVACY
Manufacturing

Around 250 Hitachi Rail jobs at risk at North East train building factory

The company has confirmed it is looking to 'resize' the workforce as train building contracts come to an end

(Image: publicity handout from Hitachi º£½ÇÊÓÆµ)

More than 250 jobs are set to go at Hitachi Rail Europe’s train manufacturing facility in the North East, it has emerged.

The company has said it needs to resize the workforce, as contracts near completion - but said it could increase once more if demand rises, and says some staff members could be redeployed within the facility.

The Newton Aycliffe facility – which has recently secured two sizeable contracts and remains in the running for the £500m Metro trains contract – said it is seeking to keep just a core team of employees.

A statement issued by Hitachi said: “As the last of the 122 IEP trains nears completion, Newton Aycliffe’s workforce will be resized to a team of skilled, core full-time employees. This will allow key train building projects to be delivered, but also provides the flexibility to be scaled-up with staff on fixed-term contracts according to order demand.

“This will ensure Hitachi is able to deliver its existing order book on time, as well as be ready to work on new manufacturing contracts.

“Currently, Newton Aycliffe has orders that include 61 new intercity trains for East Coast Open Access, East Midlands Railways and Avanti West Coast, with the first work due to begin in the second half of 2020.

“As part of this process, today we begin a 45-day consultation with employees at the factory, as well as the union Unite, about reducing the number of permanent staff. “While this could see up to 250 employees leave the company, there may be opportunities for a number of staff to be redeployed to other parts of Hitachi’s rail business.

“Hitachi has a proud record investing in developing and training its people. While it is disappointing to be reducing jobs at Newton Aycliffe, if demand increases in the future there may be opportunities for rehiring.”