Laing O’Rourke is in discussions to offload its precast concrete manufacturing plant in Uddingston, Scotland, to concrete products supplier FP McCann.
Speaking to Construction Manager a spokesman from FP McCann confirmed that the deal was ongoing to purchase the plant, which produces precast products under Laing O’Rourke’s Bison brand.
Laing O’Rourke would retain the Bison brand name and its other plant at Swadlincote in Derbyshire would be unaffected.
Family-owned FP McCann is one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers and suppliers of precast concrete products, employing around 1,500 people.
The company has 12 manufacturing facilities in the UK from Cambridgeshire and Gloucestershire to Cheshire and Alnwick.
A statement from Laing O’Rourke said: “We can confirm that FP McCann is in discussion with Laing O’Rourke to buy its Bison Uddingston facility and assets. It is proposed that all of the jobs of the circa 50 employees currently based at the facility will be transferred to FP McCann through the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), (TUPE) process.
“Laing O’Rourke commenced consultation with the relevant employees on the potential transfer to FP McCann on 8 March 2017 and both parties expect to conclude the transaction by the end of the month. It is anticipated that, through the TUPE process, no jobs will be lost and employees will retain their current terms and conditions.
“The Uddingston business is an attractive asset to an organisation such as FP McCann, that wishes to grow its manufacturing business in Scotland, supplying a range of suitable products to the market. The offer from FP McCann will, we believe, allow for future investment and business growth at Uddingston.”
In January it was revealed Laing O’Rourke was selling its profitable Australian division to reinvest the proceeds in its loss-making European arm.
The firm turned in losses of £246m for the financial year to March 2016 and founder Ray O’Rourke stated he “regrets joining race to the bottom”.
