A military safety equipment manufacturer has announced proposals to shut its plant in Stranraer, Scotland, putting 111 jobs in jeopardy. According to BBC News, Gentex intends to consolidate its UK operations at a new facility in Haydock, Merseyside, with the transition expected to unfold in phases over the next two years. The company has also signalled that "changes" will occur at its Letchworth site in Hertfordshire.
Gentex manufactures protective equipment including helmets, headsets, visors and oxygen masks for military and law enforcement customers. The Stranraer facility, which employs 111 people, represents one of the largest private sector job losses the region has experienced in recent years. While no final decision has been made, the company has committed to paying eligible employees through at least the end of 2027, even if redundancies occur sooner.
Andrew Wilde, senior director of operations at Gentex, explained the rationale behind the proposal.
Our long-term European growth opportunities and customer needs are outpacing our current UK facilities, so we have conducted a detailed review into how we grow our operations.He confirmed that Gentex has begun formal consultation with affected employees to gather feedback and explore alternatives or ways to avoid or reduce redundancies.
Finlay Carson, the local MSP, characterised the announcement as far more than a routine corporate restructuring. He stated that the loss of 111 highly skilled positions represented a significant blow to the area and called for an urgent, co-ordinated response from the Scottish government, Dumfries and Galloway Council and agencies including South of Scotland Enterprise.
We must use the time available to ensure affected workers are supported into new opportunities and that every effort is made to attract replacement investment to the area.
What is the factory's history?
The Stranraer site has deep roots in the community. It was previously owned by Top Tek, which manufactured helmets for Kangol. From 1983, the facility operated under Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd (HISL) before Gentex acquired it in 2014, bringing the plant under the ownership of a major international defence and safety equipment supplier.
What happens next?
The proposed closure and restructuring remain subject to a formal consultation process. The transition is expected to take place in phases over the next two years, with eligible affected employees promised pay protection through at least the end of 2027. Staff at both Stranraer and Letchworth were informed of the proposals simultaneously.
Gentex stated in its announcement:
We know how hard this news is for our colleagues in the UK and their families, and it's no reflection on them or their work. We're committed to protecting the pay of eligible affected employees through at least the end of 2027.
