Major JLR supplier set to axe 428 jobs

Coleshill-headquartered automotive components manufacturer Sertec Group is understood to be planning 428 redundancies from its 1,300 workforce.

The majority of the staff at the company, which produces car components for JLR, Nissan and Toyota, is currently furloughed under the government’s job retention scheme (JRS).

The redundancies will be made at its factories in Coleshill, Hams Hall, Redditch, Tyserly, Witton and Aston, Unite the union said.

Unite described the announcement as a “fresh blow” to the region’s automotive sector and a “premature decision”.

Unite regional officer Jason Richards said: “This is another bitter blow to the automotive industry in the West Midlands.

“Unite is seeking urgent meetings with Sertec to persuade them to reverse this decision or delay it so that a more accurate assessment of the automotive sector can be made.

“This is a premature decision as most of the workforce is currently furloughed. The government’s job retention scheme was not designed as a vehicle to make workers redundant.

“By undertaking a redundancy programme while workers are furloughed, Sertec is denying Unite its legal right to meaningfully consult with union members and allow the union access to the entire bargaining group. This is impossible when the workforce is furloughed under a scheme that specifically precludes employees from working.

“If the redundancy programme does proceed then Unite will be seeking to mitigate job losses and ensure that compulsory redundancies are kept to an absolute minimum.

“Unite will ensure that all affected workers are treated fairly and receive everything that they are legally entitled to.”

In 2016, Sertec secured a £20m funding package from BGF, Lloyds and Santander.

Since the investment, Sertec has expanded its customer base and extended its geographical reach into Europe through acquisitions.

TheBusinessDesk.com has contacted Sertec for comment.