In a lovely case of the mountain moving to Mohammed (assuming we understand that phrase), Dutch supercar maker Spyker is relocating to England because its main parts supplier is here. It's not often any company moves into the UK to save costs, but that's the way that Spyker has played it - it will re-locate to Coventry before January.
Its overall operations will remain in Zeewolde, Holland, which means the majority of its 135 staff are unaffected - although there will be redundancies. It's not yet known whether any new jobs for skilled UK workers will be created. Engineering, sales and marketing will remain in Holland, while the relocation of manufacturing close to parts supplier CPP Ltd will "reduce costs as well as improve efficiency," according to Spyker CEO Victor Muller.
The maker claims that the current economic climate is ultimately responsible for the move, which will reportedly save 'millions of Euros'. That will help, because Spyker posted a €25m (£25m) loss last year. It's claimed that 45 jobs will be affected by the move, although Muller has also hinted that if costs need to be further reduced, it's not inconceivable that more of the business could be shifted to the UK.
Mark Nichol - 20 Nov 2009