Hundreds of jobs set to go at Lawrence Automotive...

[dutchman]

Almost 500 jobs are set to go at an automotive firm that supplies Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) from the car giant's former home on Brown's Lane, Coventry



Lawrence Automotive bought the site from JLR in 2010 and began supplying wood trim panelling for various models.

But promised investment in key areas by the Chinese owners never happened, placing it in "terminal decline", Des Quinn Unite regional officer said.

The firm said it had started a consultation process with staff.

The premises will close in November unless the firm secures a sizeable new contract, Mr Quinn said. Between 450 and 500 people work there, he added.

"JLR has not given them any more work, " he said.

"They had the order book when they bought the centre... and eventually after that they [JLR] said 'time to stand on your own two feet', as they've had a lot of support from JLR in the last couple of years.

"The more investment, money or technology that they said would happen, hasn't, and as the models have run out they've lost replacement work because they could not compete on price, quality or performance. It's been in terminal decline."

He also blamed mismanagement by the owners for workers facing losing their jobs.

"It's a shame. It looks like the end of manufacturing work at the site," he added.

In a statement, the firm said: "We have commenced the consultation process with our employees which we are legally obliged to do and currently we do not know what the outcome of that process will be.

"We are fully committed to the consultation process."

[rebbonk]

Sadly, this was going to happen from day 1. I hear (reliably) that other JLR suppliers are in trouble.

From my own point of view I swore never to work for them again when they kept me waiting for over 3 months for a week's work, despite my supplying all the relevant paperwork at the end of the week. - They use their suppliers (particularly the smaller ones) in lieu of bank loans/overdrafts.

[dutchman]

Warehouses plan at old car supplier site in Coventry



Developers are making plans for three new warehouses on the site of the former Lawrence Automotive factory in Coventry.

Goodman said it is at the ‘early stage’ of plans for three modern employment units on the site at Lyons Park, Coundon Wedge Drive.

Loading and turning areas, car and cycle parking and new landscaping would also form part of the bid, although no indication has been given as to what business could be housed from the site.

A ‘scoping opinion’ application – looking at whether environmental impact assessments are needed before a planning application is submitted – has been sent to Coventry City Council.

The buildings on the site had been vacant since 2017 when Lawrence Automotive decided to relocate abroad.

Over the past few months they have been demolished in order to provide a cleared area for redevelopment.

A Goodman spokesman said up to 500 jobs could be created.

They added said: “With the site vacant following the relocation abroad of Lawrence Automotive in 2017, this application will bring back to life an unused site and provide approximately 300 to 500 new jobs that are important in supporting local economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.”

A website with the plans has been created at http://www.lyonsparkconsultation.co.uk