MPs Visit Remploy Automotive

Madeleine Moon MP and Huw Irranca-Davies MP dropped in to visit Remploy Automotive Bridgend, on Waterton Industrial Estate on Monday morning 27 April 2009 to meet with the Local Remploy Manager, Alan Sangster, GMB union officials and staff.

The MP's had a tour of the factory and met with many of the staff who were working on the assembly line. Remploys customers include Ford Engine Plant, Honda and Jaguar/Land Rover for whom they supply products such as cables, valves and spring kits, switchgear, diagnostic and fault simulation ECU breakout boxes.

There is a lack of appreciation of some of the complex work carried at the factory where they also supply speaker chassis and wiring assemblies to Harman Becker which are used in BMW, Mercedes and Ferrari cars. The Remploy in house team having developed a state of the art error proof system which is widely recognised as leading edge in the industry. The company specialise in supply chain management and late configuration assembly to local customers in both first and second tier supply.

The company is also drawing on their experience of assembly of commercial and industrial lighting and refrigeration systems to seek new work. Their work providing bespoke wiring and harnesses for the leisure, transport and marine industries with fully automatic cut, strip of materials in the assembly of harnesses and electrical testing of wiring systems.

Madeleine commented:
"During these difficult economic times Remploy needs to have a viable and sustainable future and this depends on winning new business. With the downturn in the automotive industry they have a shrinking customer base and are looking to diversify into different areas to maintain production and staffing levels."

Huw Irranca-Davies stated
"The atmosphere in the factory is positive and I am confident that local companies will recognise that Remploy can provide a competitive and professional service across a range of fields. Remploy has a commitment to Quality and is accredited with TS16949, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSES 18001 and PAS99 Quality Management Systems."