Hundreds of Manufacturing Jobs Under Threat in North East
A major automotive parts supplier has announced plans to shut down two of its factories in the North East of England, a move that places hundreds of skilled jobs in jeopardy. Japanese manufacturer NSK has confirmed it is proposing to cease production at its sites in Peterlee, County Durham.
The company, which is headquartered in Tokyo, cited persistent profitability challenges with its locally manufactured products as the primary reason for the proposed closures. This decision puts approximately 350 jobs at direct risk, dealing a significant blow to the local workforce and the regional economy.
Union Outcry and Consultation Process
The trade union Unite has responded with fury, labelling NSK's plan a complete betrayal of its dedicated workforce. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, stated that employees had worked tirelessly to hit performance targets they believed would secure the factories' futures.
She asserted, "There is a viable business case for keeping these sites open and Unite will fight tooth and nail for that to happen." A formal consultation process has now begun between the company and union representatives.
The two facilities, operated by NSK's European subsidiaries NSK Bearings Europe and AKS Precision Call Europe, are known for producing vehicle bearings. These components are supplied to major car manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Renault.
Broader Industry Shifts and Factory Future
Unite acknowledges that the wider automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from traditional combustion engines towards electric vehicles. However, the union's national officer, Steve Bush, emphasised that this shift does not negate the need for bearings.
"Bearings will still be needed for cars long after diesel and petrol engines have been phased out," Bush noted, arguing that the closure of the Peterlee plants is not an inevitability. He confirmed that Unite will be forcefully making that point during the ongoing consultations.
If the proposals proceed, the factories are expected to be fully closed by March 2027. NSK has stated that this move is part of a broader restructuring of its European operations, which involves withdrawing from unprofitable business lines and reorganising production sites. The company has pledged to implement all necessary measures to support the affected employees.
