PM Backs Electric Vehicles

01/03/2010

Allied Electric’s new range of all-electric vehicles (EVs) has sparked the interest of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. 

Brown singled out the company’s Glasgow manufacturing plant for an extended personal visit, during a regional tour of the UK.  There he met several shop-floor workers on the assembly line, as well as holding discussions about the future of electric vehicles with company directors.

Part of the highly successful Allied Vehicles Group, Allied Electric has developed an innovative range of battery-powered light commercial vehicles.  The company has won a key contract to supply electric Peugeot Boxer vans to selected public sector fleet operators, under the Department for Transport funded Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme. 

Allied will also supply all-electric Peugeot cars and MPVs for a variety of applications in Glasgow, as part of an electric vehicle trial project, supported by the Technology Strategy Board.

Strong Roots

Based in North Glasgow Allied Vehicles has brought about a quiet manufacturing revolution over the past decade.

From its beginnings with just 18 people, Allied has grown steadily to an annual turnover in excess of £50 million and now employs more than 350 workers.  The company is still owned by the Facenna brothers, Gerry and Michael, who were born and raised in the local area.

Allied works in partnership with leading automotive manufacturers like Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to produce niche automotive products.  These include wheelchair accessible cars, of which Allied is now the largest supplier in the UK, hackney taxis, community transport minibuses and, most recently, its new range of all-electric vans and MPVs. 

Honour

“Of course it was a great honour for us to have the Prime Minister come and see what we do here,” commented co-chairman Michael Facenna. 

“Glasgow used to be world-renowned for its engineering but sadly many of the city’s traditional industries have gone now,” he continued. 

“I think, though, that the PM was genuinely pleased and perhaps a bit surprised to see that we have created so many manufacturing jobs here.

“Mr. Brown spent a great deal of time meeting the workers and asking them about their jobs and about the company,” concluded Facenna. 

“He seemed genuinely excited by the enthusiasm of our workforce and by the innovative new products we are working on as part of Allied’s future and Britain’s future."

Speaking at a business dinner later that evening Brown praised the enthusiasm and commitment of the workforce, together with the company's innovative approach.  He also said he was impressed to see Allied Vehicles supporting training and development, including modern apprenticeships.

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