Today Steve Chicken, Managing Director of Textron Golf, Turf and Specialty Products announced the findings of the recent study reviewing the future viability of the Ipswich manufacturing facility. The Ipswich plant employs 375 people.
In a statement issued to the media he said, “I am delighted that in the recent study to review the manufacturing of products in Ipswich, it has quickly become clear that we can serve our European customer base best by maintaining our current manufacturing facility, as such the Ipswich plant will not close. We shall continue to produce the municipal and European golf-related products in the Ipswich plant. We shall continue to improve efficiencies within the manufacturing process by adopting contemporary world-class automotive practices as employed in our American factories.
“This is good news for everyone associated with the company and the news was unanimously welcomed by the entire workforce and enthusiastically embraced by the local trade union representatives and community leaders.
“The decision to continue with production in Ipswich was strongly supported by our American parent company. We have secured the future financial success of Ipswich with an aggressive plan for the sales of our products over the coming months and years. The continued support of our dealer network, who have been particularly positive over the past few weeks, to make these plans a reality is a key factor. We intend to continue to produce top quality turf equipment for the global marketplace from the Ipswich site as well as from our facilities in the USA.
“The current range of golf and municipal products built in Ipswich today will continue unaffected with the exceptions of the Multi-mower, the T-Plex 180, the Triple 18 and the Greens Super range which will be discontinued as stocks run out during the months ahead.
“We will continue to develop and launch new products for our markets, the first of which will be the LPG-powered Highway municipal triple mower and refreshed Hydraulic 5/7 tractor mounted gang mowers at the forthcoming Saltex show in September. Also, we will continue to focus on providing our customers with the highest quality products in a timely manner, offering full support to our dealers and end-users.
“As I said in my previous statement, we remain totally committed to the Ransomes brand and to Ipswich as a base for manufacturing, selling, supporting and designing high quality products for the worldwide market.”
For further information please contact: Glynn Patrick, Executive Director, Sales & Marketing Tel: 01473 276285 or Selina Flynn, Communications & Promotions Manager Tel: 01473 276368