More than 100 jobs are under threat at a Scottish factory that manufactures safety equipment for the military, after its owner Gentex announced proposals to close the Stranraer plant and make changes at its Letchworth site as part of plans to centralise UK operations in Haydock, Merseyside.
Gentex, which produces safety equipment such as helmets, headsets, visors and oxygen masks for the military, law enforcement and other industries, said no final decision had been made. The company said eligible employees would be paid until at least the end of 2027, even if they are made redundant earlier. The proposed transition would take place in phases over the next two years and was subject to a formal consultation process. The news was broken to staff at Stranraer and Letchworth earlier.
Andrew Wilde, senior director of operations at Gentex, said: "Our long-term European growth opportunities and customer needs are outpacing our current UK facilities, so we have conducted a detailed review into how we grow our operations." He said the company proposed consolidating its UK activities at Haydock. "We know how hard this news is for our colleagues in the UK and their families, and it's no reflection on them or their work," he added.
The Stranraer factory has a long history in the town. It was previously owned by Top Tek, which manufactured helmets for Kangol, and from 1983 was operated by Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd before being acquired by Gentex in 2014.
Local MSP Finlay Carson described the loss of 111 highly skilled jobs as "hugely significant". "This is not simply another company restructuring," he said. "It represents one of the largest private sector job losses our area has faced in recent years." He called for an urgent, co-ordinated response from the Scottish government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and agencies including South of Scotland Enterprise. "We must use the time available to ensure affected workers are supported into new opportunities and that every effort is made to attract replacement investment to the area," he said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The closure would eliminate 111 jobs in Stranraer, one of the largest private sector job losses the area has faced in recent years, with knock-on effects for the local economy.
- Workers and their families face uncertainty, though the company has promised pay protection for eligible employees through at least the end of 2027.
- The move reflects a broader shift in UK manufacturing as Gentex consolidates its operations, with implications for other sites.
Background
Gentex is a US-based manufacturer of personal protective equipment for military and law enforcement customers. The Stranraer plant has been part of the town's industrial fabric for decades, with previous owners including Top Tek and Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd. The company now plans to centralise its UK operations at Haydock, a move it says is driven by growth in European customer needs.
Key Perspectives
- Gentex: says the consolidation is needed because "long-term European growth opportunities and customer needs are outpacing our current UK facilities", and stresses the proposal is subject to consultation and that it will protect pay for eligible employees.
- Finlay Carson MSP: calls the potential loss "hugely significant" and not "simply another company restructuring", urging a co-ordinated response from government and agencies to support workers and attract replacement investment.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the formal consultation process, which will determine whether the closure proceeds.
- The phased transition over the next two years, and whether any roles are retained or redeployed to Haydock.
- Responses from the Scottish government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and South of Scotland Enterprise to Carson's call for action.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMore than 100 jobs are at risk at the Stranraer factory.BBC Scotland: “More than 100 jobs are at risk at a Scottish factory which manufactures safety equipment for the military.”
- SupportedGentex has proposed closing its Stranraer plant.BBC Scotland: “Gentex has announced proposals to close its plant at Stranraer”
- SupportedGentex plans to centralise its UK operations at Haydock and make changes at its Letchworth site.BBC Scotland: “It said the move was part of plans to centralise its UK operations in a new facility in Haydock, Merseyside.”
- SupportedLocal MSP Finlay Carson called for an urgent response from the Scottish government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and agencies including South of Scotland Enterprise.BBC Scotland: “He called for an urgent, co-ordinated response from the Scottish government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and agencies including South of Scotland Enterprise.”
- SupportedGentex said no final decision had been made.BBC Scotland: “The firm said no final decision had been made”
- SupportedGentex said eligible employees would have their pay protected through at least the end of 2027, even if made redundant earlier.BBC Scotland: “We're committed to protecting the pay of eligible affected employees through at least the end of 2027.”
- SupportedThe proposed transition would happen in phases over the next two years and was subject to formal consultation.BBC Scotland: “He said they proposed consolidating their UK activities at Haydock, subject to a formal consultation process. He added: "If the proposal proceeds, this would result in the closure of our Stranraer facility and changes at Letchworth, with a number of roles at risk of redundancy. The proposed transition would take place in phases over the next two years."”
- SupportedAndrew Wilde said: “Our long-term European growth opportunities and customer needs are outpacing our current UK facilities, so we have conducted a detailed review into how we grow our operations.”BBC Scotland: “Andrew Wilde, senior director of operations at Gentex, said: "Our long-term European growth opportunities and customer needs are outpacing our current UK facilities, so we have conducted a detailed review into how we grow our operations."”
- SupportedWilde said: “We know how hard this news is for our colleagues in the UK and their families, and it's no reflection on them or their work.”BBC Scotland: “He added: "We know how hard this news is for our colleagues in the UK and their families, and it's no reflection on them or their work.”
- SupportedCarson described the loss of 111 highly skilled jobs as “hugely significant”.BBC Scotland: “Local MSP Finlay Carson said the loss of 111 highly skilled jobs in the area was "hugely significant".”
- SupportedCarson said: “This is not simply another company restructuring. It represents one of the largest private sector job losses our area has faced in recent years.”BBC Scotland: “"This is not simply another company restructuring," he added. "It represents one of the largest private sector job losses our area has faced in recent years."”
- SupportedCarson said: “We must use the time available to ensure affected workers are supported into new opportunities and that every effort is made to attract replacement investment to the area.”BBC Scotland: “He said: "We must use the time available to ensure affected workers are supported into new opportunities and that every effort is made to attract replacement investment to the area."”