This is my column for today’s Llanelli Star on the shocking news that Schaeffler plan to close their plant in Bynea.
I’ve just had a meeting with Richard Harrington MP, a Business Minister in the UK Government, to discuss the steps we can take to persuade the company to reconsider. The Minister promised to do what he can to make it easier for Schaeffler to stay in Llanelli, and together we will make the case to keep the plant open to their UK managing director when we speak to him again on Friday.
I know Lee Waters AM has had similar discussions with Ken Skates AM, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy. Whilst it does seem that Schaeffler have made up their minds, we will be exploring every avenue to see if anything can be done to keep the factory open and help the workers at the plant.