JLR confirms Coventry trim plant sale
JAGUAR LAND ROVER’S Veneer Manufacturing Centre in Coventry is on the verge of being sold to a Nottinghamshire-based company for an undisclosed sum.
The Centre, in Brown’s Lane, was put up for sale by JLR last September, and the company announced today that Lawrence Automotive Interiors Ltd had emerged as the preferred bidder.
Lawrence is an international company specialising in vehicle interior trims with all its manufacturing currently based in China. In an announcement, JLR said the 390 employees at the Browns Lane plant would have the option of transferring to Lawrence under TUPE regulations, or being found alternative jobs elsewhere within JLR. A number of staff may remain at Browns Lane on secondment to help with transiational work for two years, a spokesman said.
Expressions of interest to purchase the VMC as a going concern were invited last year following the announcement of the outcome of a strategic review of the Jaguar Land Rover business.
JLR and Lawrence Automotive said they were now working through final due diligence and Trade Union consultation with a view to concluding the sale within a few months.
Lawrence Automotive said it was committed to maintaining the VMC operation as an on-going business and on successful completion of the sale process will become a strategic supplier to Jaguar Land Rover.
