Not sure if there is something on this already but thought a thread on Irish Business might get some decent interest on here. Couple of big stories in Northern Ireland at the minute with major job implications.
First one is the Bombardier dispute with the US over tariffs. The UK governments response was pathetic and does give an idea of just how little they care about this particular corner of the world DUP deal or not!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42807017
AES Kilroot announced this morning that they are going to have to close afetr failing to win a generating contract with up to 270 jobs on the line. Unions etc questioning how secure NI's electricity supply is now for the next few years without Kilroot as they reckon it is too heavily dependent on wind. Major new interconnector line between Tyrone and Meath got planning approval earlier in the week but it is not going to be ready for about 3-4 years.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42826175
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Quote from: WeeDonns on January 26, 2018, 10:24:10 AM
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Um, the wind doesn't blow all the time when you need the power? That's why you need a degree of backup thermal generation.
Most people who bid into the auction got contracts which would be the likes of Oil and Gas fired power stations for the vast majority of the requirement. Its the likes of ESB and Viridian mainly. Small generators attached to hospitals, big businesses etc can also bid in. The major powerstations in NI are Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford in NI and the likes of Huntstown and ESB stations in ROI as it is an all ireland auction.
Quote from: TabClear on January 26, 2018, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: WeeDonns on January 26, 2018, 10:24:10 AM
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Um, the wind doesn't blow all the time when you need the power? That's why you need a degree of backup thermal generation.
Most people who bid into the auction got contracts which would be the likes of Oil and Gas fired power stations for the vast majority of the requirement. Its the likes of ESB and Viridian mainly. Small generators attached to hospitals, big businesses etc can also bid in. The major powerstations in NI are Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford in NI and the likes of Huntstown and ESB stations in ROI as it is an all ireland auction.
Surely in next few years, Technology will advance to where the wind power generated can be stored in batteries and then used when the wind isn't strong - then recharge the batteries when the wind is blowing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42190358
Quote from: Frank_The_Tank on January 26, 2018, 11:14:19 AM
Quote from: TabClear on January 26, 2018, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: WeeDonns on January 26, 2018, 10:24:10 AM
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Um, the wind doesn't blow all the time when you need the power? That's why you need a degree of backup thermal generation.
Most people who bid into the auction got contracts which would be the likes of Oil and Gas fired power stations for the vast majority of the requirement. Its the likes of ESB and Viridian mainly. Small generators attached to hospitals, big businesses etc can also bid in. The major powerstations in NI are Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford in NI and the likes of Huntstown and ESB stations in ROI as it is an all ireland auction.
Surely in next few years, Technology will advance to where the wind power generated can be stored in batteries and then used when the wind isn't strong - then recharge the batteries when the wind is blowing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42190358
Battery storage will get much more important but it is still years away in Ireland and it will only act as a backup to thermal. Its still unlikely to get rid of the gas fired plants due to the limited capacity and charge/discharge times. AES has a massive battery storage array at Kilroot but its only 10 MW. I think the Powerstation puts out over 500 MW an hour which is about a fifth of NI demand at maximum load.
Did this ever get any further?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39477262
Quote from: Franko on January 26, 2018, 11:21:16 AM
Did this ever get any further?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39477262
Think Gaelectric hit major issues last year.
https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/gaelectric-hires-kpmg-to-weigh-asset-sales-36229732.html
https://www.businesspost.ie/business/investors-hit-e60m-spark-finally-goes-gaelectric-405692
From memory I think that project had stalled anyway.
Quote from: Frank_The_Tank on January 26, 2018, 11:14:19 AM
Quote from: TabClear on January 26, 2018, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: WeeDonns on January 26, 2018, 10:24:10 AM
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Um, the wind doesn't blow all the time when you need the power? That's why you need a degree of backup thermal generation.
Most people who bid into the auction got contracts which would be the likes of Oil and Gas fired power stations for the vast majority of the requirement. Its the likes of ESB and Viridian mainly. Small generators attached to hospitals, big businesses etc can also bid in. The major powerstations in NI are Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford in NI and the likes of Huntstown and ESB stations in ROI as it is an all ireland auction.
Surely in next few years, Technology will advance to where the wind power generated can be stored in batteries and then used when the wind isn't strong - then recharge the batteries when the wind is blowing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42190358
I remember reading somewhere (I think it's in Wales) about where they pump water uphill into a reservoir at night in the off-peak time and use hydro-electric power during the day when the water flows back down.
Good news for Bombardier.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on January 26, 2018, 07:16:48 PM
Quote from: Frank_The_Tank on January 26, 2018, 11:14:19 AM
Quote from: TabClear on January 26, 2018, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: WeeDonns on January 26, 2018, 10:24:10 AM
Who won the contract?
Whats the problem with being too heavily dependent on wind for power?
Um, the wind doesn't blow all the time when you need the power? That's why you need a degree of backup thermal generation.
Most people who bid into the auction got contracts which would be the likes of Oil and Gas fired power stations for the vast majority of the requirement. Its the likes of ESB and Viridian mainly. Small generators attached to hospitals, big businesses etc can also bid in. The major powerstations in NI are Coolkeeragh and Ballylumford in NI and the likes of Huntstown and ESB stations in ROI as it is an all ireland auction.
Surely in next few years, Technology will advance to where the wind power generated can be stored in batteries and then used when the wind isn't strong - then recharge the batteries when the wind is blowing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42190358
I remember reading somewhere (I think it's in Wales) about where they pump water uphill into a reservoir at night in the off-peak time and use hydro-electric power during the day when the water flows back down.
Like Turlough Hill or the 1970s scheme for Camlough.
There was a plan to do this with seawater in the West
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_of_Ireland
Quote from: Tony Baloney on January 26, 2018, 08:12:58 PM
Good news for Bombardier.
I wonder if they are now regretting selling the C Series programme to Airbus for $1! Good news for the Belfast plant, I hope most of the wings are still manufactured there and not transferred to Airbus' plant in Mobile.
More bad news today on the NI job front. Williams industrial into administration with 150 jobs gone, Schlumberger closure confirmed with 200 gone and NIE announce 90 jobs at risk.
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
Quote from: seafoid on February 15, 2018, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
It's capitalism, though.
Quote from: Syferus on February 15, 2018, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 15, 2018, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
It's capitalism, though.
Aided by a monopoly created by the GAA where market forces aren't at play.
Those jobs in Strabane would instead be in an Adidas factory in Vietnam.
Not Capitalism in its truest form.
O'Neill's should soon be able to test themselves in the market without the buoyancy aid of the GAA's manufactured monopoly
Quote from: DuffleKing on February 16, 2018, 11:30:38 AM
O'Neill's should soon be able to test themselves in the market without the buoyancy aid of the GAA's manufactured monopoly
They're already doing a good trade in England where funnily enough it's easier for them to get into Rugby and soccer clubs. I wonder why they can't make the same inroads here? :o
Quote from: johnneycool on February 16, 2018, 08:51:28 AM
Quote from: Syferus on February 15, 2018, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 15, 2018, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
It's capitalism, though.
Aided by a monopoly created by the GAA where market forces aren't at play.
Those jobs in Strabane would instead be in an Adidas factory in Vietnam.
Not Capitalism in its truest form.
The quality would be higher if it was made in an Adidas factory. No love for O'Neills shoddy products and jumbo-sized clothing. You'd assume being manufactured in Ireland would at least mean they had higher quality than Chinese knockoffs but, frankly, they do not.
Quote from: Syferus on February 16, 2018, 01:02:30 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 16, 2018, 08:51:28 AM
Quote from: Syferus on February 15, 2018, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 15, 2018, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
It's capitalism, though.
Aided by a monopoly created by the GAA where market forces aren't at play.
Those jobs in Strabane would instead be in an Adidas factory in Vietnam.
Not Capitalism in its truest form.
The quality would be higher if it was made in an Adidas factory. No love for O'Neills shoddy products and jumbo-sized clothing. You'd assume being manufactured in Ireland would at least mean they had higher quality than Chinese knockoffs but, frankly, they do not.
Really? I thought O'Neill's quality has increased greatly in recent years. I have to say our family are big fans of them and would prefer them over the likes of Nike, Addidas etc. They wear much better than some of the big brands stuff.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on February 16, 2018, 01:27:40 PM
Quote from: Syferus on February 16, 2018, 01:02:30 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on February 16, 2018, 08:51:28 AM
Quote from: Syferus on February 15, 2018, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 15, 2018, 02:38:04 PM
Quote from: TabClear on February 15, 2018, 12:22:20 PM
Good news for the NOrthwest ad O'Neills
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/oneills-to-create-175-jobs-with-expansion-of-its-strabane-manufacturing-headquarters-36604634.html
Sportswear giant O'Neills is creating 175 jobs as part of a major expansion at its Co Tyrone base.
Planning approval granted by Derry City and Strabane District Council makes way for a new storage and distribution facility and factory shop complex at Dublin Road in Strabane to aid with the company's developing online business.O'Neills, which is best known for its GAA kit, has established sales offices in Dublin, London and Belfast, while international sales offices have been opened in the US, France and Australia. The new positions, to be created over a three-year period, are expected to generate an additional £26.7m in sales, and will also help safeguard the present workforce.
Now celebrating its centenary year, O'Neills Sports already employs nearly 600 people in Strabane, in addition to 100 who work at its Dublin site.
While the company started out manufacturing solely GAA jerseys, it has seen considerable development, particularly over the past 40 years, and is now the largest sportswear manufacturing company in Ireland.
That is supernews
It's capitalism, though.
Aided by a monopoly created by the GAA where market forces aren't at play.
Those jobs in Strabane would instead be in an Adidas factory in Vietnam.
Not Capitalism in its truest form.
The quality would be higher if it was made in an Adidas factory. No love for O'Neills shoddy products and jumbo-sized clothing. You'd assume being manufactured in Ireland would at least mean they had higher quality than Chinese knockoffs but, frankly, they do not.
Really? I thought O'Neill's quality has increased greatly in recent years. I have to say our family are big fans of them and would prefer them over the likes of Nike, Addidas etc. They wear much better than some of the big brands stuff.
I'm specifically talking about their jerseys which are all made out of the same screen printed fabric. The polos and the jackets (their padded one is massive but great for staying warm at winter and spring matches) are certainly much better quality than the jerseys. But the problem with really large sizing follows the whole O'Neill's range, and unlike with jerseys you can't get a player fit version of a polo or a hoodie..
O Neil's stuff is top notch quality
I have had enough of it over the years and washed many team shirts to know
They should try and break into the Moto cross market.
Fox, no fear, fly nowhere near the same quality and it's a massive business
Just supply and pay some works riders in Europe and the states and watch the money roll in
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
Big outfit in trouble.
Quote from: Hereiam on February 20, 2018, 11:05:32 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
https
Big outfit in trouble.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/industry-crisis-as-lagan-construction-group-cuts-make-it-900-jobs-axed-in-northern-ireland-in-2018-36624924.html
Combined with 95 posts in jeopardy at Wrightbus in Ballymena, a further 45 at Co Tyrone building contractor AG, and the loss of 270 jobs announced on January 27 over the planned closure of Kilroot power station by energy company AES, Northern Ireland could see more than 900 jobs go in just a few months.
Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart said the latest blow concerns "jobs which Northern Ireland simply cannot afford to lose", and he blamed the political stalemate between the DUP and Sinn Fein for exacerbating the crisis.
Quote from: seafoid on February 21, 2018, 11:56:22 AM
Quote from: Hereiam on February 20, 2018, 11:05:32 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
https
Big outfit in trouble.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/industry-crisis-as-lagan-construction-group-cuts-make-it-900-jobs-axed-in-northern-ireland-in-2018-36624924.html
Combined with 95 posts in jeopardy at Wrightbus in Ballymena, a further 45 at Co Tyrone building contractor AG, and the loss of 270 jobs announced on January 27 over the planned closure of Kilroot power station by energy company AES, Northern Ireland could see more than 900 jobs go in just a few months.
Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart said the latest blow concerns "jobs which Northern Ireland simply cannot afford to lose", and he blamed the political stalemate between the DUP and Sinn Fein for exacerbating the crisis.
You'd wonder at that!
Big project builds slowing down allegedly.
Quote from: Hereiam on February 20, 2018, 11:05:32 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
Big outfit in trouble.
When you see this and the likes of Carillion and Capita in the news lately, it does seem to be an issue of chasing contracts and revenue at any cost. Firms seem to be pricing big jobs at such low margins that any problem at all means that your profit is gone.
In the Public sector procurement, the civil service are only interested in lowest price delivery. I know in the past firms made an absolute killing on the likes of PFI contracts etc but it does seem that the focus has gone too far the other way. There has to be a balance between price and delivery. Not good news for teh NI construction sector though.
RaboDirect withdrawing from Ireland. All accounts to be closed by May.
Quote from: seafoid on February 21, 2018, 11:56:22 AM
Quote from: Hereiam on February 20, 2018, 11:05:32 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
https
Big outfit in trouble.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/industry-crisis-as-lagan-construction-group-cuts-make-it-900-jobs-axed-in-northern-ireland-in-2018-36624924.html
Combined with 95 posts in jeopardy at Wrightbus in Ballymena, a further 45 at Co Tyrone building contractor AG, and the loss of 270 jobs announced on January 27 over the planned closure of Kilroot power station by energy company AES, Northern Ireland could see more than 900 jobs go in just a few months.
Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart said the latest blow concerns "jobs which Northern Ireland simply cannot afford to lose", and he blamed the political stalemate between the DUP and Sinn Fein for exacerbating the crisis.
Won't affect too many Gaaboarders this one ;)
Quote from: NAG1 on February 21, 2018, 02:57:28 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 21, 2018, 11:56:22 AM
Quote from: Hereiam on February 20, 2018, 11:05:32 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43125810)
https
Big outfit in trouble.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/industry-crisis-as-lagan-construction-group-cuts-make-it-900-jobs-axed-in-northern-ireland-in-2018-36624924.html
Combined with 95 posts in jeopardy at Wrightbus in Ballymena, a further 45 at Co Tyrone building contractor AG, and the loss of 270 jobs announced on January 27 over the planned closure of Kilroot power station by energy company AES, Northern Ireland could see more than 900 jobs go in just a few months.
Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart said the latest blow concerns "jobs which Northern Ireland simply cannot afford to lose", and he blamed the political stalemate between the DUP and Sinn Fein for exacerbating the crisis.
Won't affect too many Gaaboarders this one ;)
Heard they sponsor Dunloy minor hurlers, is that not true??? ;D
Not all bad news. Unemployment at 10 year low in NI.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on February 21, 2018, 10:36:17 PM
Not all bad news. Unemployment at 10 year low in NI.
What do they all do?
Quote from: armaghniac on February 22, 2018, 12:22:11 AM
Quote from: trueblue1234 on February 21, 2018, 10:36:17 PM
Not all bad news. Unemployment at 10 year low in NI.
What do they all do?
I'll run around and ask here. Give me a few minutes.....
Quote from: armaghniac on February 22, 2018, 12:22:11 AM
Quote from: trueblue1234 on February 21, 2018, 10:36:17 PM
Not all bad news. Unemployment at 10 year low in NI.
What do they all do?
moved across
if you checked the DLA or whatever its called
"Economic inactivity" still way above the U.K. average, we will probably just keep blaming that on the troubles
Quote from: Minder on February 22, 2018, 12:48:49 PM
"Economic inactivity" still way above the U.K. average, we will probably just keep blaming that on the troubles
i.e. I'm not a jobseeker, i quite happy claiming every allowance I can possibly get, why the fcuk would i be seeking a job that would mean I have to put on clothes to go to the shops instead of a dressing gown....
Edit: I know there are lots of people on Jobseekers who are looking for work, but last week one of the girls in my place got a call where they were asked (told?)
"Here Luv, I ve got an interview with you tomorrow. I'm not going to go to it but if anyone rings can you tell them I was at it..... Jesus wept
125 jobs to go at Sensata in Carrickfergus. Changed days, back in the 60s, if you were a Unionist living in Carrick you basically had a job for life. While Wee Sammy is getting puce faced about a coupla focal, his constituents are signing on.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43285318
Considering that Airbus now basically owns the production of the C Series jets (which are partly manufactured in Belfast), this could be a fairly major problem for the Belfast plant of Bombardier if some sort of deal is not sorted out as regards the north and customs after Brexit.
It's not all bad out there ;)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43293511
Great news for Statsport
Irish sports tech company Statsports is expecting to significantly increase staff numbers and may seek outside funding as it looks to accelerate growth after scoring a £1 billion (€1.14 billion) deal with the US Soccer Federation.
The five-year deal will see millions of American players using its monitoring devices to aid performance on the pitch.
The partnership is expected to result in the world's largest player data-monitoring programme and it is believed to be the biggest contract ever to be signed in the elite sports wearables market.
"This is a great opportunity both for us as a company and also for the federation as soccer is growing at a phenomenal rate in the US," Newry-based Statsports co-founder Sean O'Connor told The Irish Times.
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/irish-sports-tech-firm-signs-1bn-us-soccer-deal-1.3444407
FFS......will we ever learn?
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/in-pictures-desperate-househunters-queue-outside-new-dublin-development-days-ahead-of-sale-36792964.html
Belfast International Aiport sold as part of a bigger deal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43879729
Quote from: TabClear on March 30, 2018, 09:43:33 AM
Great news for Statsport
Irish sports tech company Statsports is expecting to significantly increase staff numbers and may seek outside funding as it looks to accelerate growth after scoring a £1 billion (€1.14 billion) deal with the US Soccer Federation.
The five-year deal will see millions of American players using its monitoring devices to aid performance on the pitch.
The partnership is expected to result in the world's largest player data-monitoring programme and it is believed to be the biggest contract ever to be signed in the elite sports wearables market.
"This is a great opportunity both for us as a company and also for the federation as soccer is growing at a phenomenal rate in the US," Newry-based Statsports co-founder Sean O'Connor told The Irish Times.
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/irish-sports-tech-firm-signs-1bn-us-soccer-deal-1.3444407
An unbelievable success story, founded by two young lads from Dundalk. Neither of them are even 40 I reckon.
Sean has a strong GAA connection and played underage with St. Pat's in Louth while his younger brother, Daniel, has won a few SFCs with us and played for Louth seniors on a number of occasions. The other founder, Alan Clarke, would have a connection with Clan na Gael in Dundalk.
Couple of worrying stories for NI Business in the news at the minute. You wonder is this the tip of the Brexit iceberg with businesses with long lead time on their products/services starting to find order books tapering down.
TfL supplier Wrightbus weighs sale amid financial downturn
https://news.sky.com/story/tfl-supplier-wrightbus-weighs-sale-amid-financial-downturn-11768855
Growing concerns for Harland and Wolff Belfast shipyard
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49073445
H&W not unexpected given the parent was in difficulty and the sector but Wrightbus is a surprise. Always held up as one of NI manufacturing great success stories
Quote from: TabClear on July 23, 2019, 12:47:26 PM
Couple of worrying stories for NI Business in the news at the minute. You wonder is this the tip of the Brexit iceberg with businesses with long lead time on their products/services starting to find order books tapering down.
TfL supplier Wrightbus weighs sale amid financial downturn
https://news.sky.com/story/tfl-supplier-wrightbus-weighs-sale-amid-financial-downturn-11768855
Growing concerns for Harland and Wolff Belfast shipyard
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49073445
H&W not unexpected given the parent was in difficulty and the sector but Wrightbus is a surprise. Always held up as one of NI manufacturing great success stories
H&W only employs 130 people. There's a massive requirement for people who work in Engineering firms so I'd imagine they'll get picked up pretty quickly.
Wrightbus is a strange one. Did they not have massive building plans in for housing, a Church and shops etc as part of a factory extension? I'd imagine they've fairly good contracts and will be attractive enough to investors / buyers.
Quote from: trailer on July 23, 2019, 01:16:28 PM
Quote from: TabClear on July 23, 2019, 12:47:26 PM
Couple of worrying stories for NI Business in the news at the minute. You wonder is this the tip of the Brexit iceberg with businesses with long lead time on their products/services starting to find order books tapering down.
TfL supplier Wrightbus weighs sale amid financial downturn
https://news.sky.com/story/tfl-supplier-wrightbus-weighs-sale-amid-financial-downturn-11768855
Growing concerns for Harland and Wolff Belfast shipyard
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49073445
H&W not unexpected given the parent was in difficulty and the sector but Wrightbus is a surprise. Always held up as one of NI manufacturing great success stories
H&W only employs 130 people. There's a massive requirement for people who work in Engineering firms so I'd imagine they'll get picked up pretty quickly.
Wrightbus is a strange one. Did they not have massive building plans in for housing, a Church and shops etc as part of a factory extension? I'd imagine they've fairly good contracts and will be attractive enough to investors / buyers.
I think what you are referring to is "Green Pastures" which a big facility on the outskirts of Ballymena you see if you are lucky enough to be bypassing the town heading north. The main building appears to be up but not sure if it is fitted out. It certainly seems to have stalled a bit.
The wrights bus news will be of no surprise to the business community around Ballymena. Management and promotion structures where always dependent on religious orientation and nothing to do with ability. The place is so dysfunctional that most workers are very low on morale and hate the place. The government funding this last few year has been ridiculous. Maybe a sale to an outside investor who might bring some manufacturing competence with them might save it. A lot of good people on the ground with great expertise in this sector.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on July 23, 2019, 01:33:05 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 23, 2019, 01:16:28 PM
Quote from: TabClear on July 23, 2019, 12:47:26 PM
Couple of worrying stories for NI Business in the news at the minute. You wonder is this the tip of the Brexit iceberg with businesses with long lead time on their products/services starting to find order books tapering down.
TfL supplier Wrightbus weighs sale amid financial downturn
https://news.sky.com/story/tfl-supplier-wrightbus-weighs-sale-amid-financial-downturn-11768855
Growing concerns for Harland and Wolff Belfast shipyard
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49073445
H&W not unexpected given the parent was in difficulty and the sector but Wrightbus is a surprise. Always held up as one of NI manufacturing great success stories
H&W only employs 130 people. There's a massive requirement for people who work in Engineering firms so I'd imagine they'll get picked up pretty quickly.
Wrightbus is a strange one. Did they not have massive building plans in for housing, a Church and shops etc as part of a factory extension? I'd imagine they've fairly good contracts and will be attractive enough to investors / buyers.
I think what you are referring to is "Green Pastures" which a big facility on the outskirts of Ballymena you see if you are lucky enough to be bypassing the town heading north. The main building appears to be up but not sure if it is fitted out. It certainly seems to have stalled a bit.
They had planned to build their own town basically (Church, school shops, residential area) ,however alot of the planning was refused by Ballymena council. I actually thought they were recently awarded a contract to build Hydrogen Buses for London so things must be bad in the background.
And another
Linwoods is closing its Armagh bakery in a move that will see 70 people lose their jobs.
It says it comes in response to "a significant and long-term decline in market demand" depressing margins.
The company has 140 employees in Northern Ireland across two sites in County Armagh.
The family business was set up 60 years ago and in 2002 it added health foods to its business. Linwoods Health Foods will not be affected.
John Woods, joint managing director, said: "This is a sad day for the company as we let go of one of the cornerstones of our business, which has been integral to building the Linwoods' brand."
"Our bakery team has worked incredibly hard and we have explored all possible options to avoid these job losses. This decision has not been taken lightly."
The company plans to continue to run the bakery until mid-October.[/i]
Linwoods isn't big enough to take on the quid for a pan loaf market. They are only making money in their healthfoods arm.
This is a fairly damning line from the Wrightbus story:
"It is unclear what the prospects are for Wright Group unless it can secure new financial backing."
That's a sad situation given their level of employment in the area, regardless of your thoughts on how dysfunctional you think they may be as a modern business in a global economy.
It made £5 million pre-tax on £181 million turnover in 2017, which isn't great and it seems their fortunes have dipped since then.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on July 23, 2019, 09:17:45 PM
It made £5 million pre-tax on £181 million turnover in 2017, which isn't great and it seems their fortunes have dipped since then.
Profit is one thing but how much cash were they burning? Haven't looked at their accounts but I would imagine it's quite a capex intensive business which could easily put them in negative cash flow territory. This could cause problems over an extended period regardless of profit levels. If they have decent order pipeline they should be able to secure funding but existing shareholders might have to give up control which could mean big cultural changes going forward.
Harlands is prime dockland, it will be bought over by developers. Sad to see such a huge historical manufacturing company close. When you can't compete with rest you'll close!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 23, 2019, 10:10:40 PM
Harlands is prime dockland, it will be bought over by developers. Sad to see such a huge historical manufacturing company close. When you can't compete with rest you'll close!
Don't they still build cruise ships on the continent? H&W should have been able to stay in that market, but to their credit they diversified into other engineering and renewable energy work. I thought foreign ownership would have strengthened them, but I have to wonder if the culture in there ever really changed. A friend of mine once told me about some lad that got a job painting cabins in the Canberra when she was being built. On his first day he completed a cabin, and one of the 'hats' came along and warned him to slow down. He was making the others look bad.
Quote from: TabClear on July 23, 2019, 09:50:40 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on July 23, 2019, 09:17:45 PM
It made £5 million pre-tax on £181 million turnover in 2017, which isn't great and it seems their fortunes have dipped since then.
Profit is one thing but how much cash were they burning? Haven't looked at their accounts but I would imagine it's quite a capex intensive business which could easily put them in negative cash flow territory. This could cause problems over an extended period regardless of profit levels. If they have decent order pipeline they should be able to secure funding but existing shareholders might have to give up control which could mean big cultural changes going forward.
Heard they had an issue with an order that they manufactured without getting full sign off on the PO. And got hit with it. Whether true or not it's worrying times for the area. Especially on the back of Michelin and JTI over the last few years.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on July 23, 2019, 10:21:26 PM
Quote from: TabClear on July 23, 2019, 09:50:40 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on July 23, 2019, 09:17:45 PM
It made £5 million pre-tax on £181 million turnover in 2017, which isn't great and it seems their fortunes have dipped since then.
Profit is one thing but how much cash were they burning? Haven't looked at their accounts but I would imagine it's quite a capex intensive business which could easily put them in negative cash flow territory. This could cause problems over an extended period regardless of profit levels. If they have decent order pipeline they should be able to secure funding but existing shareholders might have to give up control which could mean big cultural changes going forward.
Heard they had an issue with an order that they manufactured without getting full sign off on the PO. And got hit with it. Whether true or not it's worrying times for the area. Especially on the back of Michelin and JTI over the last few years.
Ouch! Big mistake.
Kinda surprising H&W I know shipbuilding has gone to the far East but there was and still is an opportunity for plenty of other Offshore projects
Seems like they restyled their business as contractors instead of going for R&D. Probably went for the quickest short-term fix instead of thinking more long term.
Nationalising the shipyard is Lala land stuff these days tho interestingly America holds onto some key shipyards through this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920#U.S._shipbuilding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920#U.S._shipbuilding)
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on July 23, 2019, 10:18:42 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 23, 2019, 10:10:40 PM
Harlands is prime dockland, it will be bought over by developers. Sad to see such a huge historical manufacturing company close. When you can't compete with rest you'll close!
Don't they still build cruise ships on the continent? H&W should have been able to stay in that market, but to their credit they diversified into other engineering and renewable energy work. I thought foreign ownership would have strengthened them, but I have to wonder if the culture in there ever really changed. A friend of mine once told me about some lad that got a job painting cabins in the Canberra when she was being built. On his first day he completed a cabin, and one of the 'hats' came along and warned him to slow down. He was making the others look bad.
I served my apprenticeship in Harlands and yes there was all sorts swinging the lead, but fundamentally they could not compete with the Asian shipbuilding. The cruise ships are built in France and Scandinavia and they do a great job, but once Harlands went down the route of drilling ships and the like it became difficult to dip back into tankers, cargo ships and the roll on off ships. Olsen had his oil rigs that he got refurbished and back into use. More than made his money back after bought the place.
Less said about Wrightbus the better. The funded a 3 mile stretch of lamp posts and telegraph poles full of Union Jacks around Galgorm a few years ago. They paid all the court fees of 40/50 employees who decided to take down Tricolors in Fisherwick in Ballymena a few years ago.
Ian Og and Allister have the begging bowls out to Boris on behalf of Wright Bus already. From reading through the posts above and on Twitter it sounds like a strange setup.
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Is this Brexit related?
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
... and who knows how many in the local supply chain.
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Quote from: RadioGAAGAA on July 24, 2019, 05:34:36 PM
... and who knows how many in the local supply chain.
Taking into the account the effect on local subbies, I'd say that 1800 figure would double.
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
Their church leader is Jeff Wright, son of the owner of Wrightbus. :-\
The town of Ballymena has been hit pretty hard by Gallaghers and Michelin shutting. Would've be good for it to have more.
Absolutely no doubting that if they go under it will have a massive impact on Ballymena and surrounding areas, I know 12/15 lads who work in the place and the same again who are sparks and joiners who are subbed in.
I don't think the family themselves will get much sympathy around the town due to the activities of a few family members and the cult that's being built on the way into Ballymena. In fact the local building firm who got the contract of building the village actually started to take some of it back down until they got paid.
Willie Wright was a massive supporter of Brexit and all it stood for.
Some decent highly skilled people and their families will be left high and dry over the head of a mad man.
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/meet-the-man-whose-dream-laid-foundations-for-a-new-superchurch-in-co-antrim-36362100.html
Did you know God is a shareholder in Wrightbus?
Quote from: Franko on July 24, 2019, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Depends on the industry I suppose, but if your margins are that low then the slightest market bump or pimple is going to leave you exposed.
Is that common in this industry as I know of a previous company I worked in the margins were almost 200% but that was to cover very heavy development and R&D costs.
Quote from: APM on July 25, 2019, 09:28:19 AM
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/meet-the-man-whose-dream-laid-foundations-for-a-new-superchurch-in-co-antrim-36362100.html
Did you know God is a shareholder in Wrightbus?
They'll be alright then.
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on July 25, 2019, 10:19:22 AM
Quote from: APM on July 25, 2019, 09:28:19 AM
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/meet-the-man-whose-dream-laid-foundations-for-a-new-superchurch-in-co-antrim-36362100.html
Did you know God is a shareholder in Wrightbus?
They'll be alright then.
Funny I thought it quite dysfunctional, but that is another way of looking at it ;D
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 10:17:59 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 24, 2019, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Depends on the industry I suppose, but if your margins are that low then the slightest market bump or pimple is going to leave you exposed.
Is that common in this industry as I know of a previous company I worked in the margins were almost 200% but that was to cover very heavy development and R&D costs.
How are you defining margin JC? When I think of margin it is as profit (either gross/operating/before tax/after tax) as a percentage of revenues and so by definition it cannot be more than 100%?
Took a quick nosy at Wrightbus accounts there and while the account online are pretty out of date (Dec-17 is teh last full year). Interestingly while they made decent profits in both 2016 and 2017 they burned through about £10m cash. Assuming that 2018 and 2019 were not as profitable probably implies a significant cash outflow.
Not sure how much God was paid though....
NAH
You have attributed those comments to me in the quote. I didn't write this - please correct!
Quote from: TabClear on July 25, 2019, 11:10:44 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 10:17:59 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 24, 2019, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Depends on the industry I suppose, but if your margins are that low then the slightest market bump or pimple is going to leave you exposed.
Is that common in this industry as I know of a previous company I worked in the margins were almost 200% but that was to cover very heavy development and R&D costs.
How are you defining margin JC? When I think of margin it is as profit (either gross/operating/before tax/after tax) as a percentage of revenues and so by definition it cannot be more than 100%?
Took a quick nosy at Wrightbus accounts there and while the account online are pretty out of date (Dec-17 is teh last full year). Interestingly while they made decent profits in both 2016 and 2017 they burned through about £10m cash. Assuming that 2018 and 2019 were not as profitable probably implies a significant cash outflow.
Not sure how much God was paid though....
Generally its 10% ;)
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 10:17:59 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 24, 2019, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Depends on the industry I suppose, but if your margins are that low then the slightest market bump or pimple is going to leave you exposed.
Is that common in this industry as I know of a previous company I worked in the margins were almost 200% but that was to cover very heavy development and R&D costs.
Yeah, this would be the norm in this type of industrial manufacturing for mature markets (buses etc). There is no room to make a mistake when doing this type of work here. Hence we see so many local companies outsourcing much of this to eastern Europe / India /China with a lot of factories here being little more than final assembly lines.
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
Did Wrights not set up a factory in India?
An ex work colleague of mine, that got into teaching, had worked for Wright bus, but when he left they wanted him back some months later to head up the setting up of this factory in India, he was going to be well looked after but the man couldnt go at the time as his father was unwell and he was the only to look after him..
Do they still have it, or did that venture fall through?
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
There will be very little sympathy for them in certain areas that's for sure.
I think it's a case of bad management and they have lost quite a few contracts they where bidding on to a company from Egypt. Wright's have been trying to sell it for while as Mc Laren where over looking at it last year. F1 teams like them have very good energy recovery technology from their racing endeavors and Wrightbus is specialized in Eco friendly buses. It was a big thing at the time but obviously they seem something they didn't like, probably the balance sheets.
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
What is the cause?
A lot on here are talking about mismanagement and that might be so to a certain extent, but this is a company that has grown significantly over the past number of years to employ 1400 people. I'd say they know a thing or two about running a business and a large scale one at that. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I hope the jobs are retained and the business gets all the support including financial that is needed to retain these jobs.
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 02:29:06 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
What is the cause?
A lot on here are talking about mismanagement and that might be so to a certain extent, but this is a company that has grown significantly over the past number of years to employ 1400 people. I'd say they know a thing or two about running a business and a large scale one at that. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I hope the jobs are retained and the business gets all the support including financial that is needed to retain these jobs.
Mismanagement is a major one. The processes in place were sustainable until the point that the company grew past a certain point.
Also, the rumours of an order to FirstGroup in Scotland which was taken on little more than a handshake then reneged upon (with many buses built and awaiting delivery) are, shall we say, not unfounded. But I suppose that's also mismanagement...
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 02:41:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 02:29:06 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
What is the cause?
A lot on here are talking about mismanagement and that might be so to a certain extent, but this is a company that has grown significantly over the past number of years to employ 1400 people. I'd say they know a thing or two about running a business and a large scale one at that. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I hope the jobs are retained and the business gets all the support including financial that is needed to retain these jobs.
Mismanagement is a major one. The processes in place were sustainable until the point that the company grew past a certain point.
Also, the rumours of an order to FirstGroup in Scotland which was taken on little more than a handshake then reneged upon (with many buses built and awaiting delivery) are, shall we say, not unfounded. But I suppose that's also mismanagement...
Rumours...
Quote from: TabClear on July 25, 2019, 11:10:44 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 10:17:59 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 24, 2019, 05:35:14 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 24, 2019, 05:27:50 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 24, 2019, 05:13:04 PM
£181m sounds like a very low turnover for a company of 1800 employees. Sure thats got to be minimum of £50m in wages before they have even started into overheads and materials which must be considerable. Surprised they made any profit TBH
Sounds like they were walking a tightrope and they were always just about making it over the line......until they didnt.
Thought that myself how can a company survive on a margin of 0.66% is beyond me and that's 2017 it sounds like 2018 is going to be a considerable loss!!
I hope they can do something that's a serious amount of jobs to hemorrhage!
0.66% is extremely low but typical margins in manufacturing here would be low single figures of percent.
Like someone said above, manufacturing in general here is walking a tightrope.
Depends on the industry I suppose, but if your margins are that low then the slightest market bump or pimple is going to leave you exposed.
Is that common in this industry as I know of a previous company I worked in the margins were almost 200% but that was to cover very heavy development and R&D costs.
How are you defining margin JC? When I think of margin it is as profit (either gross/operating/before tax/after tax) as a percentage of revenues and so by definition it cannot be more than 100%?
Took a quick nosy at Wrightbus accounts there and while the account online are pretty out of date (Dec-17 is teh last full year). Interestingly while they made decent profits in both 2016 and 2017 they burned through about £10m cash. Assuming that 2018 and 2019 were not as profitable probably implies a significant cash outflow.
Not sure how much God was paid though....
When I talk about margin I was talking about product costs (what the customer pays) against the total manufacturing costs per unit which should include the standard overheads, loaded labour rates and all that.
Effectively they're working for nothing at 0.66% if that's the margin as I see it.
God should be easy enough paid if he/she/it has taken a vow of poverty,
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 03:20:18 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 02:41:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 02:29:06 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
What is the cause?
A lot on here are talking about mismanagement and that might be so to a certain extent, but this is a company that has grown significantly over the past number of years to employ 1400 people. I'd say they know a thing or two about running a business and a large scale one at that. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I hope the jobs are retained and the business gets all the support including financial that is needed to retain these jobs.
Mismanagement is a major one. The processes in place were sustainable until the point that the company grew past a certain point.
Also, the rumours of an order to FirstGroup in Scotland which was taken on little more than a handshake then reneged upon (with many buses built and awaiting delivery) are, shall we say, not unfounded. But I suppose that's also mismanagement...
Rumours...
Again, I refer to you to the part in bold.
I'm really not sure why you are trying so hard to discredit this information... but whatever floats yer boat.
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 03:29:34 PM
Quote from: TabClear on July 25, 2019, 11:10:44 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on July 25, 2019, 10:17:59 AM
you defining margin JC? When I think of margin it is as profit (either gross/operating/before tax/after tax) as a percentage of revenues and so by definition it cannot be more than 100%?
Took a quick nosy at Wrightbus accounts there and while the account online are pretty out of date (Dec-17 is teh last full year). Interestingly while they made decent profits in both 2016 and 2017 they burned through about £10m cash. Assuming that 2018 and 2019 were not as profitable probably implies a significant cash outflow.
Not sure how much God was paid though....
When I talk about margin I was talking about product costs (what the customer pays) against the total manufacturing costs per unit which should include the standard overheads, loaded labour rates and all that.
Effectively they're working for nothing at 0.66% if that's the margin as I see it.
God should be easy enough paid if he/she/it has taken a vow of poverty,
Understand what you mean. I would call that markup (If you sold something at twice the cost to make I would categorise it as a 200% markup which generated a 66% gross margin) but the outcome is the same. If you are at 0.66% margin then its hardly worth it unless you have a lot of non cash items in your expenses like depreciation etc. You could potentially be generating cash in a year even if you are making a loss. The flip side, and the more likely scenario in a business like Wrightbus is that they are having to spend money on capex every year that is not fully reflected in cash profits.
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 03:20:18 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 02:41:49 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 02:29:06 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 01:58:59 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 01:33:19 PM
Quote from: Franko on July 25, 2019, 12:53:35 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 25, 2019, 09:03:12 AM
Quote from: square_ball on July 24, 2019, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 24, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Look the jobs might serve one community more than the other, but its 1400 jobs that all filters into the wider economy and they need supported / retained. Ian Paisley and Jim Allister doing the exact same as Colum Eastwood and Elisha McCallion would do if was Derry. Remains to be seen if they are successful. Lets hope they are.
Oh absolutely you're right in cases like this it's the wider chain supply that is highly affected. But I just find it hypocritical that Wright Bus are blaming their difficulties on uncertainty over Brexit when their founder openly endorsed for Brexit.
But as others have commented it sounds like this day was always going to come sooner or later. I see on twitter they made a nice wee £4m donation to their church leaders.
I don't think they're blaming brexit. It's lower levels of demand for new buses. Their buses are actually cheaper than ever for overseas companies due to the weak pound.
Only half true. But little to none of the raw materials for these machines are produced in the UK. So the cost of building them increases as your pound doesn't go too far in a steel mill in Spain or Scandinavia. Your £250k bus becomes a 275k bus very quickly.
Also, it's absolutely nothing to do with demand for buses. They have a full order book stretching out for two years.
https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20 (https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1153924101775515648?s=20)
On
@BBCgmu
James Day from Coach & Bus Week tells
@BBCRichardM
about factors in UK bus market which are playing into Wrightbus woes.
1) Big splurge of investment by operators buying low floor buses to comply with the DDA is over
2) Local authority austerity in England means operators are getting less subsidy so cutting routes & buses
3) Ultra low emission vehicles still have high upfront costs so operators can't make big purchases there without government support.
Sounds like a demand issue to me.
See part in bold.
These factors may affect them when trying to gain the investment required, as a potential investor will be looking well ahead of the two year window but lack of orders is not the cause of the current issue.
What is the cause?
A lot on here are talking about mismanagement and that might be so to a certain extent, but this is a company that has grown significantly over the past number of years to employ 1400 people. I'd say they know a thing or two about running a business and a large scale one at that. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I hope the jobs are retained and the business gets all the support including financial that is needed to retain these jobs.
Mismanagement is a major one. The processes in place were sustainable until the point that the company grew past a certain point.
Also, the rumours of an order to FirstGroup in Scotland which was taken on little more than a handshake then reneged upon (with many buses built and awaiting delivery) are, shall we say, not unfounded. But I suppose that's also mismanagement...
Rumours...
It's a fairly well established rumor at this stage. I heard from a current employee.
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Surely not?
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 25, 2019, 08:44:04 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Surely not?
O aye, went to the house of a lad who had just started and asked him about joining the church, he said he had no faith or religion and wasn't interested, he didn't even see the end of his probation period.
At the risk of getting slightly off-topic, we once had this lovely protestant lady teaching us at the Tech. She did a bit of preaching on weekends in her church, she'd get up and do the readings. When she was working at the Tech she'd sometimes forget where she was and start preaching about how salvation through Christ is the only way and all this. Most of us just laughed it off. Then one fine day we got into a deeper discussion about faith and she ended up going around the room asking for opinions about God (which was way off the topic of our business studies course). When she got to me I felt really uncomfortable and tried to duck the question, but she pressed on and I ended up saying I "keep an open mind" about religion. She says "but you go to church, don't you?" I should have told her to mind her own business at this point, but I said "no," and from that day forth my grades in her class nosedived. In my case she turned into one of the hardest markers in the college.
It's amazing how nice and respectable people can have elements of bigotry not far from the surface. "Suburban sectarianism" is what I call it.
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 09:20:00 PM
Quote from: omaghjoe on July 25, 2019, 08:44:04 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Surely not?
O aye, went to the house of a lad who had just started and asked him about joining the church, he said he had no faith or religion and wasn't interested, he didn't even see the end of his probation period.
Except......that's something completely different
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Heard about the "brown paper bag" carry on
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 09:49:59 AM
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
You've went full Trump on us now trailer! :o
Quote from: Franko on July 26, 2019, 10:29:00 AM
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 09:49:59 AM
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
You've went full Trump on us now trailer! :o
Just sayin.
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 10:52:42 AM
Quote from: Franko on July 26, 2019, 10:29:00 AM
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 09:49:59 AM
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
You've went full Trump on us now trailer! :o
Just sayin.
So was he. ::)
Quote from: Hereiam on July 25, 2019, 10:11:10 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Heard about the "brown paper bag" carry on
f**k it I'll bite what's the brown paper bad carry on?
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 09:49:59 AM
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
Are you local to Ballymena?
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 26, 2019, 12:23:48 PM
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 09:49:59 AM
I heard that if you don't want to work for them, you don't have to. Also if you don't like Ballymena as a place to live you're actually allowed to leave it as well. But there's a lot of mis-management going on in some households. But they can always blame, Brexit, Protestants and Employers.
Are you local to Ballymena?
Am I f**k. I wouldn't phone Ballymena for Christ's sake.*
*Just to be clear for the benefit of everyone, this is a joke.
Why would you phone a town?
I too am curious about the brown paper bag. I have my thoughts on this and badly need this clarified ;D ;D
(https://media.giphy.com/media/jXD7kFLwudbBC/giphy.gif)
Quote from: screenexile on July 26, 2019, 12:20:24 PM
Quote from: Hereiam on July 25, 2019, 10:11:10 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Heard about the "brown paper bag" carry on
f**k it I'll bite what's the brown paper bad carry on?
It's there on google. Strange carry-on altogether.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on July 26, 2019, 01:03:33 PM
Quote from: screenexile on July 26, 2019, 12:20:24 PM
Quote from: Hereiam on July 25, 2019, 10:11:10 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on July 25, 2019, 08:07:38 PM
Make no mistake about it, Money and greed are the main issues here. I've saw it first hand from them and what they are capable of. They've helped poison a generation of young men around Ballymena and keep the sectarian tension going. It stinks and I tell you what, f**k them.
You reap what you sow and they've screwed so many people over that the family deserve all they get. What other business would expect you to tick a box to allow them to take 10% from your wages for the church? Or allow a collection to be done for the local "lads"?
Don't forget, stick a brown paper bag over your head, say sorry and you can do who you want. ;)
Heard about the "brown paper bag" carry on
f**k it I'll bite what's the brown paper bad carry on?
It's there on google. Strange carry-on altogether.
Extremely strange.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/l8aCBaBuz5R6M/giphy.gif)
Quote from: trailer on July 26, 2019, 12:55:01 PM
(https://media.giphy.com/media/jXD7kFLwudbBC/giphy.gif)
Its really not chap but whatever makes you happy
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/harland-and-wolff-workers-lock-main-gate-in-protest-at-imminent-closure-38354824.html
H&W in bother as mentioned before!
Aye but a strike is the traditional route.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on July 29, 2019, 04:39:45 PM
Aye but a strike is the traditional route.
Uppa road! Was the cry! Generally strikes happened around Cheltenham Gold cup day, or Derby day!
Galway races day is a new one
Pastor Jeff has been lifted apparently....
Quote from: paddyjohn on August 01, 2019, 09:00:08 AM
Pastor Jeff has been lifted apparently....
Why? Did he employ a Catholic?
Quote from: johnnycool on August 01, 2019, 12:21:37 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on August 01, 2019, 09:00:08 AM
Pastor Jeff has been lifted apparently....
Why? Did he employ a Catholic?
Ongoing investigation is what i am told.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/lifeline-for-harland-and-wolff-shipyard-as-consortium-secures-1-25bn-contract-for-five-royal-navy-frigates-38491312.html
Looks like Wrightbus is on the brink. All prospective investor have pulled out.
Quote from: square_ball on September 20, 2019, 08:59:07 PM
Looks like Wrightbus is on the brink. All prospective investor have pulled out.
DUP will buy them out.
Quote from: playwiththewind1st on September 20, 2019, 09:21:22 PM
Quote from: square_ball on September 20, 2019, 08:59:07 PM
Looks like Wrightbus is on the brink. All prospective investor have pulled out.
DUP will buy them out.
Some mess if these jobs go.
Ballymena continues to be decimated. Michelin, Gallagher and now this. Great job Ian Og...
Quote from: imtommygunn on September 21, 2019, 08:19:42 AM
Ballymena continues to be decimated. Michelin, Gallagher and now this. Great job Ian Og...
Look....I am too busy slagging journalists & going off on holiday. I haven't time to represent constituents as well.
Quote from: playwiththewind1st on September 21, 2019, 10:56:49 AM
Quote from: imtommygunn on September 21, 2019, 08:19:42 AM
Ballymena continues to be decimated. Michelin, Gallagher and now this. Great job Ian Og...
Look....I am too busy slagging journalists & going off on holiday. I haven't time to represent constituents as well.
The journalist thing just illustrates he thinks he is above everything. Thou shalt not criticise me the 11th commandment. The thing is he gets away with everything >:(
One wonders where all the Wrightbus money handouts went. A lot to their church no doubt.
Quote from: weareros on September 21, 2019, 12:35:19 PM
One wonders where all the Wrightbus money handouts went. A lot to their church no doubt.
(Financially) support your Lord & your local DUP representative.
From Twitter:
Wrightbus parent company, The Cornerstone Group Ltd, made a £4.1 million charity donation in their 2017 accounts which led to them making a £1.7 milion loss for the year.
Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on September 21, 2019, 03:42:34 PM
From Twitter:
Wrightbus parent company, The Cornerstone Group Ltd, made a £4.1 million charity donation in their 2017 accounts which led to them making a £1.7 milion loss for the year.
Might have made a loss in this world, but that will buy a lot of goodwill when they're eventually "called home", as they quaintly put it.
More bad news coming by the look of things at a big employer, albeit this seems to be back office jobs rather than manufacturing.
Caterpillar: Fears for about 100 jobs at financial services centre
There are fears for about 100 jobs at the Caterpillar financial services centre in west Belfast.
The company has said it is a result of outsourcing its global finance operations.
Staff in Belfast were told about the plans on Thursday.
A Caterpillar spokesman told the BBC that work performed at Caterpillar finance operations is to be transferred to Accenture.
Accenture is a global services and outsourcing firm which has a long relationship with the firm.
The spokesman said: "The company informed employees of its decision to move to a global process model and partner with Accenture for the delivery of select finance and accounting activities.
"This partnership will lead to a transition of work currently performed at multiple Caterpillar finance operation locations to multiple Accenture finance operation locations."
Accenture does not have a finance operations presence in Northern Ireland.
The BBC understands that the Belfast staff were briefed by US and UK managers and told that redundancy packages would be on offer.
Caterpillar is a significant manufacturing employer in Northern Ireland and has had a finance centre in the region since 2005.
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll told BBC News NI that it will "take everyone standing together" to save the jobs.
"I'm going to stand with workers and put pressure on wherever I can on," he said.
"Government departments must step in, provide assistance and hopefully save these jobs."
At what point are Unions/politicians etc going to realise that government are not going to intervene in these situations?
I see Niall McGarry has stepped down from maximum media's Irish operations due to the click farm scandal.
I've never understood how they do so well, content isn't good enough; Reckon this could be the start of something bigger. Advertisers aren't happy, at what point do they take it to the next level.