
(Image: Supplied)
More than 200 jobs are at risk after two Motherwell-based firms announced plans to move their production from Scotland.
Unite said that Resideo told its workforce at the end of last week that it intends to transfer its production to Brno, Czech Republic, and Nagykanizsa, Hungary, on the basis that these facilities have lower operational costs.
The company manufactures a range of products designed to help with the transition towards a lower-carbon economy, such as heating thermostats, air-conditioning thermostats, smart climate solutions, plumbing components for boilers and heat pumps, timers and heating controls.
Approximately 116 jobs are at risk if the closure goes ahead.
Meanwhile, Unite also said that on Tuesday morning, the adjacent Honeywell site announced to its workforce that it intends to close its doors with the loss of a further 91 jobs.
The company is said to be proposing to primarily transfer work to Poole in England or abroad.
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Honeywell specialises in the design and manufacturing of electronic hardware and systems. It produced more than 70 million face masks during the Covid pandemic.
Unite has demanded the Scottish and UK governments explore all options to retain the jobs at both companies.
The products made are closely connected to heating efficiency, climate control and heat-pump technology, "making the potential loss of this combined manufacturing capacity significant in the context of Scotland's just-transition ambitions", the union said.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Scotland can't continue to haemorrhage manufacturing jobs. It’s simply unsustainable.
“The decision by both Resideo and Honeywell to close the joint site, and to transfer the work out of Scotland is unforgivable. Government needs to intervene and ministers must protect jobs and communities. They need to act now.”
Unite industrial officer Sam Ritchie said: “It’s vital that everything possible is done to retain these jobs. The Resideo and Honeywell workers are critical to the emerging green economy. They make high value products including the well-known Honeywell home thermostats.
“Government must get its act together and work to keep this joint site open because it’s central to delivering the just-transition agenda. Unite will fight tooth and nail to prevent these closures and we will be stepping up our actions to achieve this while supporting our members every step of the way.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, said: “I was deeply concerned to learn about the potential closure of Resideo and Honeywell sites in Motherwell. My thoughts are with the employees affected and the wider community in the area.
“I spoke with Unite the Union this afternoon and was clear that I will explore all options to retain the jobs at both companies. I am also writing to both companies and will work closely with the UK Government, which holds key economic levers, to explore how we can mitigate the need for job losses in Scotland.
“Our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative stands ready to provide skills and employability support if needed.”
A spokesperson for Resideo said: "Every business has to continue to adapt to remain competitive. Following a consultation process, we are moving our manufacturing operations from Newhouse to two of our other factories in Europe – Brno, Czech Republic, and Nagykanizsa, Hungary. Our continued focus is on supporting impacted colleagues, and starting the work needed to deliver the change."
A spokesperson for Honeywell said : "Following a comprehensive review of our operations we are proposing to transfer production activities from our Newhouse site in Motherwell to other Honeywell Technologies locations, including our Poole site in the United Kingdom. This proposal will enable us to improve operational efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and better align manufacturing capacity with future business requirements for our customers, and will be conducted in line with all necessary labour laws and local consultation requirements."
The Herald has also contacted the UK Government for comment.