Scots Honda boss confirms cutback 06 | 04 | 2011

SCOTS HONDA UK boss Ken Keir today confirmed the Japanese manufacturer is cutting production at its Swindon plant because of a shortage of parts available from earthquake-hit Japan. Swindon currently produces the Civic, Jazz and CR-V.

“We’ve taken the decision to reduce our production volumes at HUM as it enables us to continue with our manufacturing activities, thus minimising the impact on Honda customers, dealers and associates," the Dundee-born executive vice-president of Honda Motor Europe, said. "We appreciate everyone’s understanding, customers and dealers, during these challenging times.”

Honda insists the “vast majority” of parts used in Swindon are sourced in Europe. But with some of the firm’s Japanese parts supply factories still struggling to resume full production, the firm has been forced to cut Swindon to 50% of its normal volumes, starting next week.

Swindon operates a flexible working policy, and Honda says it will use this to recover the reduced volume via ‘banked hours’. The plant’s 3000 workers will be kept on full pay.

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Jim McGill