Bus maker Optare cuts workforce by 50%
BUS and coach maker Optare said today it had cut its workforce by nearly 50% since February due to weak demand and pricing and margin pressure.The AIM-listed firm, created in July 2008 after the reverse takeover of Leeds-based Optare Group by Blackburn bus maker the Darwen Group, said the workforce had fallen from 913 to 474 this year and shorter working times had been introduced at its Lancashire and Leeds factories.The restructuring would result in a £1.5m one-off hit, the group said.Blackburn-based Optare is a key supplier to th......
Leeds bus manufacturer Optare has narrowed its losses and confirmed a move to a bigger factory.