Wrightbus: Reaction to Ballymena firm entering administration
Wrightbus has gone into administration, making 1,200 employees at the last UK-owned bus manufacturer redundant.
The company had suffered cash flow problems and talks with potential buyers of the firm failed to reach a conclusion last week. The news has sparked reaction from politicians, industry bodies and founders, the Wright family. The Wright family: "Global changes from diesel to electric in bus technology have caused a sharp decline in demand for buses in the UK. "As a shortfall became apparent, one of the steps taken was to move work from our Malaysia facility back to Ballymena to secure jobs here. "These factors have resulted in significant losses at Wrightbus which our family have been covering for a over a year. "It simply became impossible to sustain that level of support." Susan Fitzgerald, Unite union: "Wrightbus has not been an easy company to deal with. There has been a lack of clarity. "These workers have stuck together through thick and thin. "Boris Johnson needs to engage in a rescue plan to save these jobs." NI Secretary of State Julian Smith: Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts: "This is simply devastating news for the Wrightbus workers, their families and also for the Northern Ireland economy. "The loss of 1,200 jobs and the likely impact of another 1,700, will have a hugely negative impact on spending with local retailers and hospitality businesses in Ballymena and Northern Ireland as a whole." Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Ian Paisley: "It is body blow for Ballymena and the wider Northern Ireland economy. "Essentially, from this point, the administrator has a week to find a buyer. "It is a real tragedy for the company's 1,400 employees and a further 1,700 people affected up and down the supply chain." Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy: "It is a matter of huge regret the firm has descended into this kind of financial uncertainty. "I think it is a very worrying time and I feel very much for the workers." Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Robin Swann: Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister: "It is devastating news not just for the employees of Wrightbus but the wider North Antrim community and supply chain. "Michelin, JTI and now Wrightbus - the heart has been ripped out of Ballymena." Manufacturing NI: Alliance Party MLA Stephen Farry: "There are many questions around how this situation emerged. "If an Assembly was operational, the economy committee would be seeking answers to many of those questions, including around the use of public money. We have an accountability deficit." Roger Pollen of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): "The ripple effects of an impact this size will spread far and wide throughout the Northern Ireland economy, so it is vital that all possible steps are made to limit the damage. "FSB hopes a positive resolution can be found in what will undoubtedly be a very unsettling time for all those affected."