Bus builder creates 52 jobs, haulage firm cuts 200

Ballymena based bus builder the Wright Group is creating over 50 jobs in a new high-tech subsidiary, it was announced today.

Wright Composites is to manufacture Glass Reinforced Plastic [GRP] and composite components using a range of state of the art moulding techniques – one of which is new to the North.

The company, creating 52 jobs – including two specialised R&D posts – has been set up following a £750,000 investment supported by Invest Northern Ireland.

The news came as over 200 workers at the nearby haulage company Reid Transport, were coming to grips with the loss of their jobs after the company went into liquidation

Wright Composites occupies a dedicated 50,000 sq ft unit adjacent to its well known sister company Wrightbus for which it is a supplier.

Mark Nodder, managing director of the Wright Group said: “We are always striving to improve our performance in the face of increasing foreign competition and recognise the long term benefits to be gained from continuous innovation.

“By establishing this ground-breaking facility and investing in R&D, we can now capitalise on this cutting edge technology and begin to develop relationships with the local universities which will add value to both the Wright Group’s operations and, ultimately, the wider economy.”

Components made from GRP and composite materials are lighter, more durable and more aesthetically appealing to those made from conventional materials, he said.

“The new subsidiary has already helped to improve the competitiveness of the Wright Group as a whole and we hope it will also contribute to Northern Ireland’s growing status as an international R&D hub and centre of excellence for composites.”

Meanwhile shocked employees of Cloughmills based Reid Transport were reeling at the loss of their jobs just five weeks after being reassured by bosses they were safe.

A letter posted to all employees last month said concerns over the future of the company were “unfounded” and “malicious rumours”.

However PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed as administrators and said they had no alternative to closing the business after failing to find a buyer.

As Stormont ministers gathered for their fortnightly cabinet meeting, Economy Minister Nigel Dodds said the job losses at Reid Transport were deeply regrettable.

He vowed to do everything to help those affected.

“It is appalling for the workforce in the run-up to Christmas, some five weeks away,” the Democratic Unionist minister said.

“It is devastating news. My department has been in close contact with the Department of Employment and Learning about trying to ensure that every possible assistance is given to the workers and ensuring that redundancy payments are made as quickly as possible – especially at this time in the run-up to Christmas.

“Obviously on a wider front, it re-emphasises that we need to work as hard as possible to keep the economy as vibrant as possible and provide new opportunities for people in this situation.”