Staff at one of Fife’s biggest engineering companies are facing an anxious wait to learn whether or not their jobs can be saved.
Around 170 staff could be laid off by BiFab if new contracts are not secured at the end of this month.
The company, which has yards atBurntisland and Methil as well as one at Arnish Point on the Isle of Lewis, has asignificant gap in its order books thissummer as work comes to an end on anumber of major contracts.
A downturn in new orders, coupled with a decision by energy giant RWE to reassess plans for a major offshore windfarm,have hit the firm hard, placing the postsat risk.
Staff have been informed about thepossible redundancies, however, nodecision is likely to be taken until details of a major new offshore project are unveiled by the government later this month, offering a potential lifeline for the posts.
“There is a gap in our order book,” said Martin Adam, BiFab operations director.“We are trying very hard to get newcontracts in Fife and in Scotland but there’s not much more we can say right now.”
Staff were made aware earlier this month of a process of evaluation that could lead to possible redundancies.
Those affected received HR1 forms, informing employees of the situation as BiFab continued to tender for more work.
The company is in the final stages of a contract for the GDF Suez Cygnus offshore gas project, of which Mr Adam said: “That gets loaded out on June 26 and we want to keep going by securing new orders but we don’t have any contracts just now.”
The Department of Energy and Climate Change could offer some lifeline with the announcement of a major offshore project later this month, however even if this is approved it is unlikely that any work at the yard will begin until next year.
MP Lindsay Roy has met withmanagement at the firm and has promised his support as it continues to bid for new contracts.
He said: “I asked for the meeting after learning that around 170 full-time workers at the Fife yards are facing redundancy.Despite their best efforts, BiFab have been unable to attract any significant new orders recently.
“The company had hoped to win a share of construction work for the 17 jackets for the planned RWE project, but this is now being looked at again.
“It could end up with the turbines being places on monopiles instead of jackets and that’s not something BiFab do.
“We want both governments to doeverything in their power to assist BiFab and prevent highly-skilled workers being made redundant.”