Alexander Dennis Plans UK Bus Manufacturing Consolidation Risking 400 Scottish Jobs

Alexander Dennis, a Scottish-headquartered bus manufacturer owned by Canadian parent company NFI Group, has announced plans to consolidate its UK bus manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough, England. This move would lead to the closure of its factories in Falkirk and Larbert, putting up to 400 Scottish jobs at risk, which accounts for about 22% of its UK workforce. The company aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency amid challenging market conditions, but has criticized current UK policies for not incentivizing local content, job retention, or domestic economic benefits. The consolidation could also threaten up to 1,600 additional jobs across the supply chain, given the multiplier effect in bus manufacturing. Scottish government officials, including Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and First Minister John Swinney, have engaged extensively with Alexander Dennis to explore all options to mitigate redundancies and preserve jobs. Local politicians have pledged to fight to maintain the region's bus manufacturing heritage, emphasizing the economic blow to Falkirk following recent industrial closures.