GMB blames “Brexit effect” for Landis+Gyr’s “catastrophic” decision to move smart meter manufacturing abroad

UK’s leading manufacturer of smart gas meters, Landis+Gyr, plans to cut 288 jobs due to an increase in production costs driven by the drop in sterling after the Brexit vote.

The GMB union has revealed that Swiss company Landis+Gyr – the UK’s number one smart meter supplier for British Gas – is considering relocating some of its manufacturing abroad, putting almost 300 jobs at its Stockport site at risk.

The consultation to move production is because Landis+Gyr are facing a 20% increase in costs due to the fall in the value of the pound after the Brexit vote.

A spokesperson for Landis+Gyr said that it was consulting employees at its manufacturing sites in both Northfields and Stockport about “optimising the production costs of its UK smart meters” which will continue until April.

Shaun Buckley, GMB Organiser, said:

The decision to move manufacturing abroad is catastrophic news for GMB members at Landis+Gyr – and their families – in Stockport.

It is another example of pressures companies are facing due to the uncertainty of Brexit.

GMB will be working tirelessly to secure the best possible deal for affected members during consultation.