By Aileen Robertson

THE MANAGER of Solectron in Dunfermline was named best business leader in Fife just months before the electronics plant announced it was closing.

Mark Cummings, who was recognised for his contribution to the firm at the Fife Business Awards in March, was yesterday given the backing of local MP Willie Rennie and councillor Gerry McMullan.

Mr Rennie said Mr Cummings had brought about “colossal changes” which had enabled the plant to compete in the international market.

On Friday, Solectron announced it was axing all 440 jobs at its Pitreavie plant in a restructuring move.

The Californian firm, which operates in 20 countries across the globe, is making 1400 of its workers in North America and western Europe redundant and is understood to be opening plants in eastern Eur-ope and Asia.

However Mr Rennie has questioned the reason behind the closure.

He said, “Mark Cummings was sent in a few years ago to turn the site around. At that time the company could have easily pulled the plug and followed the other companies seeking cheap labour elsewhere.

“But the company recognised there was a future in the Dunfermline plant.

“The difference between the company now and five to 10 years ago is that it is much more knowledgeable and higher skilled.

“I visited the factory in May and quizzed Mark Cummings about the long-term future of the plant. Although it was recognised that the environment was tough, I left feeling that there was a future.

“I was therefore surprised to hear the news on Friday and am distressed that the staff are heading to Christmas with this hanging over them.”

Mr Rennie—who has discussed the issue with his Lib Dem colleague Enterprise Minister Nicol Stephen—added, “I want to know what has changed and why the company has decided to close the Dunfermline plant.”

Meanwhile, Mr McMullan, said companies such as Solectron should not benefit from local authority grants if they intend to pull out in search of cheaper labour.

Mr McMullan, “I am asking that questions are raised concerning the practice of companies taking financial grants, help and support from our development services, enabling them to set up in certain areas and then moving on after a few years—not through the lack of orders or quality of work, but to capture a cheaper workforce in other countries.

“I have written to Solectron asking for clarification on the comment that they are moving to an eastern bloc or Far Eastern country.”

The Pitreavie councillor—who said Mr Cummings had done a “very good job”—continued, “This decision will certainly affect the economy of the area and it’s sad to think this happens so near to the festive period.

“Companies such as Solectron have to take ownership of how they change the lives of communities not just here in Fife but all over Scotland.”