Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro, launched today, secures 1,200 jobs at the UK’s last van manufacturing plant after workers won a 10-year contract and a £185 million investment.
Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the Luton plant beat world class competition from across Europe to build the new van.
Rival Ford shut its Transit factory in Southampton last year making Vauxhall’s Luton facility the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing – on a site where over eight million vehicles have been built since 1905.
The plant is significant contributor to the local and national economies building nearly a million Vivaro vans since 2001 including 44,000 vans built in 2013. The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.
Service firms around the country will also benefit from £600 million of new business over the life of the new Vivaro with 40 per cent of content sourced locally from UK suppliers. This is up by 60 per cent on the current van.
“The all-new Vivaro van is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Luton,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.
“Our customers will be delighted with the new Luton-built Vivaro. It offers the comfort and design of a passenger car but with class-leading practicality, improved cargo dimensions and excellent payload capability.”
And this great British success story doesn’t end there. The New Vivaro was designed by a team led by Luton-born Malcolm Ward. In his role as Vauxhall/Opel’s Design Director, Ward follows in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather who both worked at Vauxhall.
“The launch of the new Vivaro is great news for British manufacturing,” said Vince Cable, Business Secretary. “The plant at Luton, which has made such an important contribution to the local and national economy, has got a bright future thanks to the commitment of its workforce and ability to compete against the best in Europe.
“Through the UK Government’s industrial strategy we are backing the auto sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing the right environment to give businesses the confidence to invest and create high skilled jobs.”
“The new Vivaro is testament to the skills and dedication of the Luton workforce who have once again put together a world class vehicle,” said Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite.
“Not only is it great news for British manufacturing, but represents yet another proud milestone in Luton’s rich history of motor manufacturing, underlining how jobs and investment can be secured when employers like Vauxhall work closely with their workforce and Unite.
“More investment like this is needed to create the high skilled jobs and security we need to rebalance the economy and bring growth to all.”
Also looking forward to a bright futures is Vauxhall’s other UK manufacturing plant located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire where production of the next generation Astra compact car begins in 2015.
Workers at Ellesmere Port won a similar long term contract to their colleagues in Luton. The agreement runs in to the next decade and secures a £125 million investment and 1,600 jobs.
VAUXALL BOOSTS BRITISH BUSINESS WITH RISING UK CONTENT
- Supplier firms set to benefit from £600 million of new business
- Up to 40 per cent of parts sourced locally in the UK
- A 60 per cent increase on the outgoing model
Vauxhall’s commitment to UK manufacturing has given suppliers across the country a huge lift thanks to £600 million of new business over the life of the new Vivaro and 40 per cent of content for the van being sourced locally from British firms.
This is an increase of 60 per cent on the outgoing model and means other UK businesses benefit from the investment and job security that come from Vauxhall winning the contract to build the new van.
“The booming British automotive industry is now big enough to encourage a much larger supply base,” said Mark Poulton, Vauxhall’s Purchasing and Logistics Director. “Local content benefits UK PLC as well as making sound business sense, giving added flexibility and reducing our carbon footprint.”
The new model brings with it new suppliers including:
- International Automotive Components, Coleshill, West Midlands (carpets)
- Tenneco-Walker, Gwent (exhausts)
- Shape Corp, Coventry (front cross member)
- TI Group Automotive, Deeside (fuel tanks)
- Mitsumi Electro, Hayes, Middlesex (GPS antenna)
- Kautex Textron, Hengoed, Mid Glomorgan (wash tanks and hoses)
Case Study – Magna Seating
Dunstable-based Magna Seating produces seats solely for Vauxhall after Ford’s Southampton plant shut last year.
Employing 53 people and mirroring shift patterns with the Luton van plant, Magna makes single front seats, double front seats and rear seats for the new Vivaro. A new production line has been installed to build seats for the new van. On average Magna makes over 118,000 seats per year or 506 per day.
Case Study – MKP
Milton Keynes-based MKP make 12 parts for the new Vivaro including various cross members and bulkhead panels.
A family owned business with 200 employees, 58 per cent of MKP clients are first tier automotive manufacturers including Aston Martin, Bentley and Lotus.
Its other business comes from the truck industry and office furniture and storage. Nearly three million parts are produced at MKP each year or 12,650 per day.
MKP were awarded the GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award in 2012 for the outstanding achievement of zero defects for 12 consecutive months.
Leave a Reply