Hundreds of jobs at risk at Bentley in Crewe

Luxury automaker Bentley has announced that up to 275 jobs are at risk as the company undertakes efficiency measures. This development coincides with the release of Bentley’s 2025 financial results, which mark a seventh consecutive year of profitability for the Crewe-based firm. Despite its continued financial success, the company highlighted ongoing investments at its Pyms Lane facility, focusing on new electric vehicle models.

The jobs potentially affected by these cuts primarily include roles in management, agency staff, and non-manufacturing positions. The announcement has come as a surprise to many within the workforce, with a spokesperson from the GMB union describing the news as “coming out of the blue” and noting that employees are “stunned.” These reductions are part of a broader organizational adjustment aimed at maintaining Bentley’s long-term competitiveness.

Bentley’s CEO and chairman, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, emphasized the company’s unprecedented investment levels at Pyms Lane, which include the newly opened Design Centre, the near completion of the A1 building dedicated to battery electric vehicle (BEV) production, and the forthcoming inauguration of a new Paint Shop. Walliser acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions involved, saying, “We are making some difficult decisions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business, including an organisational adjustment potentially impacting approximately 275 positions.” He also expressed gratitude toward those affected, assuring support throughout the transition.

The company reported an operating profit of £186 million (€216 million) on revenues of £2.25 billion (€2.6 billion). However, customer deliveries fell by five percent over the year, primarily due to market contraction, especially in China. Axel Dewitz, Bentley’s board member for finance and IT, noted the firm’s resilience in the face of challenging external factors, such as US tariffs, stating, “These results give us confidence that Bentley’s financial foundation is solid, [while] highlighting the need to continue to invest in our future product portfolio and site transformation.” Reflecting on the situation, Karen Lewis from the GMB union commented on the impact of tariffs and the pandemic, saying, “Trump’s tariffs have hit Bentley hard and the company is still feeling the affects of the Covid lockdown.” She assured that the union would strive to minimize redundancies and maximize compensation for employees

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