• The Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd in Plymouth to be sold by Schaeffler Group but will remain a supplier to the Schaeffler as well as to third-party customers
• The Plymouth plant will continue its operation without significant changes for customers, suppliers and employees alike
• Plymouth MP Luke Pollard praised excellent result and cross-party work from local MPs 

Today Schaeffler announced that it reversed its decision to close the Barden plant in Plymouth, saving over 350 jobs in the area. Schaeffler had originally proposed to close two of its three plants in the UK, to relocate their production, and to combine its two UK logistics centres into a single location in the UK.

Back in February, three Plymouth MPs from Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Moor View and South West Devon joined ranks and put party differences aside to make the case for Plymouth. The three MPs had previously written to the company asking for talks in an attempt to safeguard jobs in the city. 

Following the news that the Barden plant will remain open in Plymouth, local MP, Luke Pollard said:

“Barden has been a part of Plymouth for over fifty years and the news today will be welcomed by the firm’s employees, the city’s manufacturing base and Plymouth as a whole. Plymouth’s MPs stood up cross-party for the jobs at Barden with a face to face meeting in February 2019 with Barden’s German owners. I’m delighted that Barden will continue to operate in Plymouth securing jobs. I look forward to meeting the firm’s new owners in due course to reassure them of our cross-party support for this high value manufacturing to continue in Plymouth. Today is a good day for Plymouth and for Barden’s employees. I want to pay tribute to the staff and management who have been determined to protect jobs in Plymouth and find a future for the plant. Their effort has paid off today.”

Dr. Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial of the Schaeffler Group, said:

“We are very pleased that HQW Precision GmbH is a company with which Schaeffler already has a business relationship. The plant in Plymouth is an excellent addition to their portfolio of high precision products. We have every confidence that Barden will continue to offer products with the highest standards of quality.”

Jon Everett, Managing Director of Barden UK, added:

“This successful outcome is the result of a shared goal between the key stakeholders to find the best solution for Schaeffler, Barden’s customers and employees, and the Plymouth community. We would therefore like to thank HQW and acknowledge the valuable support of the Ministry of Defence, our local political representatives, and the people of the City of Plymouth during this process.”

Jürgen Ziegler, Schaeffler’s Regional CEO Europe, said:

“The measures adopted will make the Schaeffler Group’s footprint in Europe more efficient and bring it in line with current commercial and economic conditions. It also shows that we are willing to explore all possible alternatives in each of our divisional efficiency programs. The solution we have found will safeguard Barden’s future without significant changes for customers, suppliers and employees alike.”