Honda of the UK Manufacturing has today informed associates (employees) that plans to close its Swindon vehicle manufacturing plant, at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle, in 2021, have been confirmed. The plant currently employs circa 3,500 associates.
Following a meaningful and robust consultation process, which included contributions from collective consultation groups, the UK government and external consultants engaged by UNITE, Honda has reached the conclusion that no viable alternatives to the proposed closure of the Swindon plant have been identified.
The decision to close the plant is part of Honda’s broader global strategy in response to changes to the automotive industry. As previously communicated in February, Honda is accelerating its electrification plans, and as a result resources, capabilities and production systems for electrified vehicles will be focused in regions with a high volume of customer demand.
This concludes the first phase of the collective consultation process. The second phase – which includes agreeing associate redundancy packages and identifying the impact on individual roles up until production ceases in 2021 – will begin immediately. Honda will also intensify its engagement with the Swindon Task Force set up by Secretary of State Greg Clark, in order to work with government and a broad range of stakeholders to mitigate the impact of this decision on the wider community.
HUM Director, Jason Smith, said; “It is with a heavy heart that today we confirm the closure of Honda’s factory in Swindon. We understand the impact this decision has on our associates, suppliers and the wider community. We are committed to continuing to support them throughout the next phases of the consultation process.”
Editors Notes
Honda’s European HQ will continue to be located in Bracknell in the UK. It will be focused on serving the needs of its European customers.
Key Facts – Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd (HUM)
• Established in 1985
• Started operations in 1986 (Pre-delivery inspections)
• Began engine production in 1989
• Began car production in 1992
• Current workforce – 3,500 associates
• Cumulative car production – 3,507,862 (to end 2018)
• 2018 (calendar year) car production – 160,075
• Models currently produced:
• Civic Hatchback
• Civic Type R
• Production is currently exported to over 70 countries
• Production % split: UK 15％/ Europe 20％/ North America 55% / Japan 8% / Others 2%)
(based on 2018 results)
Honda of the UK Manufacturing timeline
|
Year |
Event |
|
1985 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing is established |
|
1986 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing begins operations, conducting Pre-delivery Inspections on Honda models imported into the UK |
|
1989 |
Engine Plant is opened and begins production |
|
1991 |
The construction of Car Plant 1 begins |
|
1992 |
Car Plant 1 opens and production of the Honda Accord begins |
|
1994 |
Production of the Honda Civic begins |
|
2000 |
Production of the Honda CR-V begins |
|
2001 |
Car Plant 2 opens and production capacity increases to 250,000 cars per year |
|
2001 |
Production of the Civic Type R begins |
|
2002 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing exports cars to North America for the first time |
|
2003 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing celebrates the production of its 1 millionth car |
|
2008 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing celebrates the production of its 2 millionth car |
|
2014 |
The first public access Hydrogen filling station opens at Honda of the UK Manufacturing’s site |
|
2015 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing announced as the global production hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback |
|
2016 |
Honda of the UK Manufacturing celebrates its 30th anniversary |
|
2016 |
Production of the 10th generation Civic Hatchback begins |