More jobs on stake at Lochaber smelter of ALVANCE British Aluminium in Fort William

The relentless impact of COVID-19 and the precariousness around Brexit is being censured for the loss of up to 18 jobs at the Fort William-based Lochaber smelter.

Liberty British Aluminium became ALVANCE British Aluminium as part of a new structure back in February’20 but in few weeks the company was forced to lay-off around 40 of its workers in response to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

ALVANCE British Aluminium comes under the aluminium arm of metals industry tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance group of companies.

On 22^nd July’20, the company declared it would be reducing its workforce permanently.

An ALVANCE British Aluminium spokesman said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded an already difficult commercial environment for aluminium. Given the continued impact of the virus and uncertainty around post-Brexit trade talks, the market is likely to remain challenging for up to 18 months.

“With regret, we, therefore, have made the difficult decision to begin a consultation on reducing the workforce at the Lochaber smelter. We will be proposing a reduction of around 15 to 18 jobs.”

“As a responsible employer, we need to balance the welfare of our people with the need to protect the long-term sustainability of the Lochaber smelter, which is a vital piece of Scotland’s industrial infrastructure and valuable contributor to the regional economy.”

“We will provide appropriate support to those affected – including looking at employment opportunities elsewhere through GFG Workforce Solutions, a redeployment vehicle operated by our parent organisation, GFG Alliance.”

Frazer Coupland, CEO of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, remarked with the latest job curtailment: “The global marketplace is a difficult place to work at the best of times.”

“I can only imagine with the world the way it is at the moment it is not making things any easier for those who trade in these markets.”

“I am sure the team at Alvance will have given thorough consideration whilst making these hard decisions.”

“The Lochaber smelter remains part of the critical national infrastructure, as the only remaining aluminium smelter in Scotland and the UK.”

Kate Forbes, a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has been in talks with the company this week and is cautiously optimistic that the business will continue to operate in Fort William.

She said: “I realise this will be an anxious time for workers at the Lochaber smelter.”

“This is, of course, difficult news, at a time when many people have come through a tumultuous time during the lockdown.”

“Liberty has assured me that they remain fully committed to the site and me, and many others, will no doubt hold them to that. It is almost four years since the smelter was saved, saving over 100 jobs.”

“Although this is difficult news, due to the wider pressures on the industry, it is important to ensure that the smelter continues as a key local employer in recognition of the fact that it employs more people today than it did four years ago.”