LEE WATERS AM AND NIA GRIFFITH MP – LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES REACT TO SCHAEFFLER CLOSURE

Lee Waters AM and Nia Griffith MP – Local representatives react to Schaeffler closure.

Local representatives Lee Waters AM, Nia Griffith MP and Cllr Deryk Cundy have reacted with disappointment at the news that Schaeffler have confirmed the closure of their plant in Bynea. Following a consultation with the workforce, unions, and local management launched in November, the company have today announced that they intend to go ahead with plans to wind down the plant with the loss of over 200 high-quality jobs to Llanelli.

The local MP, AM and ward councillor are prepared to assist the workforce in any way they can during this difficult time, and have expressed their continued desire to find a way forward that secures high-quality manufacturing jobs at the site.

Lee Waters, Assembly Member for Llanelli said:

“I’m incredibly disappointed at the news that the Schaeffler plant in Llanelli is to close. The workforce has served the company with distinction over many years and the community has relied on both the good quality jobs and the supply chain impact of having the factory in the town. 

“I will continue to work tirelessly with partners including the Welsh Government, the local authority and trade unions to explore the future manufacturing potential of the site as well as to ensure that a comprehensive package of advice and skills training support is made available to those impacted by the news.

“I know how unsettling a time this will be for the staff and families of those affected and I will be meeting the Minister for Economy Ken Skates in the coming days to discuss the taskforce the Welsh Government is setting up and to investigate every avenue in which we can keep good quality jobs in the area.”

Nia Griffith MP said: “The closure of the Schaeffler plant is a huge loss for Llanelli. Schaeffler has been part of our community for decades and supports over 200 local jobs. Since this decision to was announced last November, Lee, Deryk and I have been pushing Schaeffler to reconsider and do everything they can to support the workforce.

“It is vital that we do not lose the manufacturing capability on the Bynea site, so we will continue to work with Schaeffler, Unite the Union and the UK and Welsh Governments to find a way forward.”

Cllr Deryk Cundy said:

“This is obviously very distressing news for the workforce and their families and comes after a difficult period of consultation on the future of the factory.“

“I’ve worked hard with both Nia and Lee to find a way forward for the plant, and hope over the coming weeks we can continue to work together in order to find options that secure employment at the site. It’s now essential that the Welsh Government, UK Government and the County Council work together to provide a future for the workers at Schaeffler.”