GKN jobs must be protected, says Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard
Wrekin Mark Pritchard has spoken of his concern for jobs in Telford as the controversy over the takeover of GKN continues.
Mr Pritchard, the MP for the Wrekin, stopped short of calling for the Government to block the deal that will see Melrose buy the engineering giant.
But he called on ministers to everything in their power to protect jobs.
GKN employs almost 400 at its wheels and structures plant in Hadley, Telford.
It also has another 1,000 employed at other factories across the Midlands and Staffordshire and almost 60,000 in total worldwide.
Melrose has made no secret of the fact that it wants to improve efficiency at GKN before then selling it on as a profit.
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It is believed to have pledged not to sell its aerospace arm for at least five years, but no assurances have been made about the wheels production work currently being carried out in Telford.
Mr Pritchard said: "It is vital that local jobs are protected as well as a continuing commitment to research and development and the essential protection of sensitive defence and manufacturing technologies.
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"It is also right the government have sought fundamental reassurances from the possible new owners."
Concern has also been raised in the US because of GKN's involvement in defence contracts there. Republican congressman Neal Dunn has urged the powerful US Committee on Foreign Investment to block Melrose’s bid. The committee is yet to clear the deal.
Mr Dunn has said: ‘Its business strategy will undermine long-term investments in research and development and secure supply chains.’
Melrose, which has an office on Queensway in Birmingham, describes itself as a 'British-based investment company specialising in the acquisition and performance improvement of underperforming businesses'.
Melrose chief Simon Peckham has insisted bosses were "here to protect national security, not damage it".
He said: "We will give any undertakings the Government requires on that. We are all British. We live here and our families live here … we are as concerned about national security as anyone else."
