Post by Humberside on Jun 22, 2012 15:00:15 GMT
A huge blow obviously to the staff affected
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9777155.Hundreds_of_job_losses_announced_by_Cobham/?ref=nt
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9777155.Hundreds_of_job_losses_announced_by_Cobham/?ref=nt
HUNDREDS of job losses have been announced by Cobham, one of the area's biggest employers.
Around 320 jobs - a third of Cobham's Christchurch workforce - will be lost on an aircraft conversion program which is being moved to Spain.
The jobs will include 240 at Cobham's Bournemouth Airport site and a further 80 contractors' jobs.
The shock news is a result of AirTanker consortium moving work on the conversion of Voyager aircraft to Spain.
The Voyager program was only launched in September last year. At the time Cobham announced the creation of 100 new jobs.
Cobham is a member of the AirTanker Consortium of which Airbus Military is also a member.
Vice President Media Relations, Greg Caires said this morning: "While this decision will result in significant redundancies at our Christchurch facility, we agree that it is necessary to help ensure the program's continued success.
"Cobham will provide appropriate support and counselling to employees affected by this decision."
Around 675 people are currently employed at the Christchurch site.
Cobham say they have no plans to end operations at Christchurch. Its Wimborne operation is unaffected.
The company's statement reads: "AirTanker Limited, in which Cobham is a shareholder, has today announced that Airbus Military and Cobham Aviation Services have agreed that the remaining UK Voyager aircraft will now be converted in Spain, rather than by Cobham Aviation Services.
"This will help to ensure the continued success of the programme by co-locating aircraft engineers undertaking the conversion with the Airbus design office in Spain, so greatly improving efficiency and shortening the supply chain.
"There have been no technical issues with the conversion process and there is no material financial impact to Cobham as a result of this change."
Around 320 jobs - a third of Cobham's Christchurch workforce - will be lost on an aircraft conversion program which is being moved to Spain.
The jobs will include 240 at Cobham's Bournemouth Airport site and a further 80 contractors' jobs.
The shock news is a result of AirTanker consortium moving work on the conversion of Voyager aircraft to Spain.
The Voyager program was only launched in September last year. At the time Cobham announced the creation of 100 new jobs.
Cobham is a member of the AirTanker Consortium of which Airbus Military is also a member.
Vice President Media Relations, Greg Caires said this morning: "While this decision will result in significant redundancies at our Christchurch facility, we agree that it is necessary to help ensure the program's continued success.
"Cobham will provide appropriate support and counselling to employees affected by this decision."
Around 675 people are currently employed at the Christchurch site.
Cobham say they have no plans to end operations at Christchurch. Its Wimborne operation is unaffected.
The company's statement reads: "AirTanker Limited, in which Cobham is a shareholder, has today announced that Airbus Military and Cobham Aviation Services have agreed that the remaining UK Voyager aircraft will now be converted in Spain, rather than by Cobham Aviation Services.
"This will help to ensure the continued success of the programme by co-locating aircraft engineers undertaking the conversion with the Airbus design office in Spain, so greatly improving efficiency and shortening the supply chain.
"There have been no technical issues with the conversion process and there is no material financial impact to Cobham as a result of this change."