Factory deal paves way for rescue of bus building company Wrightbus

By David Young, PA and Q Radio News

A deal to save troubled bus builder Wrightbus has moved a step closer after a dispute over the sale of the factory was resolved.

The Ballymena operation, famous for building London buses, was placed into administration last month with the loss of 1,200 jobs.

English industrialist Jo Bamford announced on Friday that he had agreed a deal in principle to buy the factory and associated lands from former business owner Jeff Wright.

A dispute over the sale of those assets had been the sticking point preventing an overall purchase of the business.

While the company is in the hands of the administrators, the factory and associated lands are still controlled by Mr Wright.

Mr Bamford and Mr Wright were at loggerheads over the asset sale, a stand-off that had put the sale of the Wrightbus operation in jeopardy.

On Friday, the men announced the resolution of that issue.

A celebratory breakfast of bacon sodas and champagne for Wrightbus workers this morning 🍾 pic.twitter.com/62WqdXYlFn

— Chloe St John (@chloestjohn) October 11, 2019

Mr Bamford, who is the son of JCB chairman Lord Bamford, expressed hope he could now complete the overall purchase with administrators Deloitte.

"We are delighted to announce that this morning I have agreed terms on a deal in principle with the Wright family for the Wrightbus factory and land," he said.

"We are still to conclude a deal with the administrators but are pleased to report this important step in the right direction."

Mr Bamford thanked North Antrim MP Ian Paisley for helping to mediate what he described as a "tricky negotiation".

Wrightbus worker Norman Stephens says everyone feels a weight has been lifted following news a deal has been struck in principal pic.twitter.com/f7X2eBhoVs

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 11, 2019

A statement from Jeff Wright's representative confirmed the deal.

"Following intensive overnight negotiations between the two parties agreement has been reached in principle over the sale of Wrightbus to Ryse Hydrogen (Mr Bamford's company)," it said.

"The two men at the centre of the deal, Jeff Wright and Jo Bamford, say the outcome of the negotiations involved pragmatism in arriving at an arrangement which is ultimately in the best interests of the long-term sustainability of the bus manufacturing business and jobs in the Ballymena area.

"The two businessmen confirmed that the Wrightbus factory has been saved from liquidation with Jo Bamford as the new owner of the business."

Farmlands close to the factory premises had been at the heart of the dispute.

George Brash from Unite the Union says he’s hopeful the agreed deal will be formally signed off. He says next step is to ensure as many jobs retained as possible. pic.twitter.com/ANgBUsn5ej

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 11, 2019

Mr Wright said as part of the deal he had agreed to gift the farmlands to Mid and East Antrim Council to acknowledge the contribution of Ballymena people to the Wrightbus brand over 70 years.

"This legacy gift is a tribute not only to my father, his father before him, and the Wright family members but most importantly it is a tribute to the generations of workers who helped build a proud manufacturing tradition in Ballymena," he said.

"It is my true wish to see this legacy used for the purposes of expanding manufacturing and benefiting our local community."

Mr Wright said the council had confirmed the lands would be used for a proposed innovation centre for manufacturing start-up companies.

"I believe the presence of this centre on the Wrightbus legacy land will send a clear message to Northern Ireland and beyond that Ballymena has a strong future in advanced manufacturing," he added.

"The Mid and East Antrim Borough Council estimates that the legacy of the site and the new investment would result in 2,460 jobs with the potential to rebuild Ballymena.

"It is also has ambitious plans to secure one of the Heathrow Hubs for the town which would see a further 5,000 engineering and manufacturing jobs for the area.

"The new innovative Hubs are to be used to pre-assemble components of the expanded airport before transporting them to Heathrow."