HONDA: 'Firm will look after affected workers' (From Swindon Advertiser)

HONDA: 'Firm will look after affected workers'

6:37pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

DAVID Hodgetts, left

DAVID Hodgetts is the managing director of the company in the UK, working at the HQ in Slough.

He also guided the Swindon factory through the period when the production line was closed for four months because of the recession.

On the job losses he said: “The European market is down one million in 2012. We had set up 180,000 units per year, now we are looking at 150,000, therefore we have to realign accordingly. We do not expect the European market to rise between now and 2013, so we have no choice but to take this decision.

“I worked at the factory for more than 20 years and I am disappointed that we are forced to take this action, especially after what we have come through, with the tsunami in Japan and the flooding in Thailand.

“Swindon has a good record of looking after its workforce and after the consultation has finished, will naturally look after those affected to find work elsewhere.

“In the UK, the market is fairing better with Honda’s sales up seven per cent and will continue to grow UK sales to support the factory going forward.”