A FIRM that supplies parts to Jaguar Land Rover has announced 80 job losses – nearly a quarter of its workforce.
The cuts at automotive components supplier Auria Solutions in Coleshill is ‘another blow’ to the UK’s car industry.
Union Unite said it will be giving any redundant workers ‘maximum support’.
It added that problems at Auria – as with other manufacturers in the supply chain – are linked to the issues at JLR.
Unite regional officer Jason Richards said: “Auria Solutions supplies upmarket flooring and upholstery to JLR and the job losses are linked to the situation there.
“The challenges facing JLR and other car manufacturers are well-documented – the slowdown in the Chinese market; the issues relating to the change from diesel to electric cars; and the growing uncertainty generated by Brexit.
“This is obviously a bitter blow to the workers and their families, as well as the West Midlands economy.
“Unite will be giving maximum support to our members in the challenging days and weeks ahead.
“Lurking in the background is the failure of the Tory government to create a coherent industrial strategy for the UK manufacturing sector generally and the automotive industry in particular.
“This failure has definitely not helped during these difficult times for the car industry, which remains the shining jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing.”
Unite has 200 members out of a workforce of 320 at the Coleshill plant, it says.
JLR last week announced an extra week-long shutdown of its Solihull borough factories in April.
The concerning move is in addition to a week’s shutdown around Easter and follows news of up to 4,500 job losses throughout the company.
The job losses come as part of a £2.5billion savings programme over an initial 18 months and beyond.
We have contacted Auria for comment.
