Brexit a factor in Schaeffler plant closures

Herzogenaurach, Germany – Schaeffler is closing two UK plants – at Plymouth (Barden Corp. Ltd) and Llanelli – in part due to Brexit, the global automotive and industrial supplier announced 6 Nov.

Over the next two years, production at these plants will be relocated to sites in the US, China, South Korea and Germany, said Schaeffler, which makes industrial bearings and transmission components

“The uncertainty surrounding Brexit was one factor amongst others in the analysis of the UK market,” the German group stated.

A global review by the group found that 85% of the goods Schaeffler produces in the UK are exported mainly to continental Europe.

A global business needs to “optimise its footprint across different regions. The proposed measures we have taken for the UK reflect this business reality,” said Juergen Ziegler, regional CEO Europe.

The Llanelli site makes mechanical tappets and special-purpose bearings for automotive OEMs and industrial customers.

The Plymouth plant mainly produces spindle bearings and machine parts for Schaeffler’s Industrial division as well as bearings for the aerospace and defence industries.