Company boss sees bright future (From Gazette Series)

Company boss sees bright future

THE MANAGING director of the company that has bought the X-series engines from Lister Petter has predicted a bright future for engineering in Dursley.

Deutz UK, the British arm of the 140-year-old German engineering company, acquired its section of the Long Street-based business earlier this month.

Managing director Bob Bell has confirmed that the company is in Dursley to stay and wants to make the site a world-renowned centre in the field of research and development.

He said: "I am absolutely determined that this plant is going to become one of the best research and development centres in the world.

"In six months I expect to have a centre whose reputation goes well beyond just the Deutz name."

He also insisted that Deutz was making a long-term commitment to the town and would not simply disappear after the two-year period of manufacturing the X-series engines, although they will be renamed.

Added Mr Bell: "The stereotypical reaction was probably for people to think 'Will Deutz dump us when the X-series is finished?'

"Well, the answer is absolutely not. This will become the Deutz Research and Development Centre.

"I also want to bring stability to the workforce. We were under no obligation to continue to employ everyone here but we are keeping everyone on.

"I wouldn't say they had a future if they didn't. I believe that we are going places - there are no two ways about it."

His enthusiasm has already had a positive impact upon the workforce, with many of them feeling happier about what looked like an uncertain future just a couple of weeks ago.

Employee Roger Brain said: "After trying so hard to keep Lister Petter afloat, there was a huge nervousness amongst the staff about going forwards after the sale.

"We were nervous that we would only be here for two years until the X-series was finished, but Deutz have given us the reassurances that they need us for longer and our fears have been put to rest."

Deutz is expected to issue a statement today confirming long term-plans for Dursley.