Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is proposing to shut its Falkirk site and convert its Larbert manufacturing facility, with up to 115 jobs at risk of redundancy. However, the company said the proposal would safeguard about 200 skilled manufacturing and support jobs, which were previously under threat, says the Scottish Sun.

The firm said the proposals would enable it to “better align with the current market” and represent the “best possible outcome” in the current climate.

It comes after the Scottish Government stepped in last year to fund a furlough scheme for staff at Alexander Dennis after the firm announced it was considering consolidating its operations at a single site in Yorkshire, putting about 400 jobs at risk.

It is understood that around 85 employees have since left the business.

Alexander Dennis has now announced it is consulting on plans to convert its Larbert manufacturing facility to a chassis manufacturing site, supporting all of its low-emission and zero-emission bus products, while the company would close its facility in Falkirk.

Paul Davies, the company’s president and managing director, said:

“We are proposing to retain jobs and restart manufacturing at Larbert with a focus on chassis manufacturing.

“This represents the best possible outcome for our business, employees, customers and supply chain partners in the current climate. This new approach would enable us to better align with the current market whilst improving our efficiency. It also allows us to continue to adapt to rapidly changing and challenging market dynamics.

“We remain grateful to the Scottish government for the furlough scheme support to secure these jobs, maintaining skills and manufacturing capability in central Scotland.”

(Picture: Alexander Dennis)