Crunch talks over jobs at BiFab’s yards in Lewis and Fife are taking place today (Wed).
The future is looking bleak as the order book is empty and the engineering company is finishing off its final contract.
Engineering union GMB Scotland and BiFab boss Martin Adam will discuss the firm’s survival.
Alan Ritchie of the GMB said: “We are fighting to get work into the yards -
Last November the firm was saved from the brink of administration after restructuring debts owed by the firm to its partners in the Beatrice offshore wind farm.
Last minute intervention plus a £15 million loan pledge from the Scottish Government rescued the firm.
However, in just a few weeks all work at BiFab will cease as the last of the 26 turbine foundations for the £2.6 billion Beatrice project is finished.
Arnish is set to shut sooner as its very last structure is completed while the sister yards in Fife will carry on to March.
The majority of the Lewis workforce have received redundancy notices.
BiFab is seeking new investment but remains silent on suggestions they have held
talks with Canadian-
But the Newfoundland engineering fabricator is said to be only interested in the Methil site.
A Chinese firm is believed to be also considering taking a stake in the firm.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said it is working with BIFab management team to “secure new business and investment in the company.
“Through this we hope to provide the best means of creating and safeguarding jobs for the longer term for communities in both Fife and the Isle of Lewis.”
Crunch talks over future of Arnish yard
31 January 2018
