Truck factory plans herald new jobs joy for North Staffordshire

PLANS to open a new truck making operation in North Staffordshire could herald hundreds of jobs for the area, manufacturing experts have predicted.

Anglo-Indian partnership Avia Ashok Leyland is behind the project, which would be branded as Longton Avia.

The partnership would see Indian firm Ashok Leyland linking with Avia with the new plant being set up in Longton.

The Staffordshire consortium behind the plan is scouting locations for a new plant and if a planned timetable goes to schedule then assembly could begin late next year.

Avia trucks are currently built in Prague, in the Czech Republic and the firm has its UK distribution base at Longton.

The plan would see Prague continue as a production centre until the Staffordshire operation was up and running.

The scheme has been welcomed by Simon Griffiths, Area Director North and West for the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

He said: “Plans to open a new truck building factory should create hundreds of jobs directly and, importantly, could open up new opportunities for a supply chain that has a proven track record in providing components for this marketplace.

“2011 saw unrivalled global investment  flow  into  the  UK  automotive  sector  and  it  is great  to see this  year  starting  in a  similar  vein.

“The creation of Longton Avia – another Anglo-Indian partnership – is another welcome sign that manufacturing is growing and that we continue to be viewed as an excellent country in which to invest and develop new vehicles.”