Schaeffler sells UK plant in job-securing deal

German supplier Schaeffler has sold its Barden factory in Plymouth, south-west England, to a division of HQW Precision, securing nearly 400 jobs.

Schaeffler said in Marchit would cut 900 jobs, shut plants and reduce its product range after its 2018 earnings slumped due to weak demand in Europe and China, and it warned of a challenging few years ahead for the autos sector, Automotive News reads.

Schaeffler said in a statement that the Barden factory, which mainly produces machine parts for its industrial division as well as precision bearings for aerospace and defense, will continue to supply it and stay open with all jobs intact. It did not disclose financial details of the deal.

The company had originally proposed closing two of its three British plants, Llanelli and Plymouth, relocate their production and combine its two logistics centers in a single location.

HQW Precision, headquartered in the German town of Kuernach, makes high-precision rolling bearings and assemblies.

Lower growth at Schaeffler’s automotive business in the second half of 2018 was due to weaker demand in Europe following new emissions standards and the trade conflict with the United States which hurt orders from China.