Defence firm liquidation

Around 70 jobs at an Edinburgh defence manufacturer are to be lost after the company announced a shock liquidation.

Bosses at Aerospace Machining Technology, in West Shore Road, Granton, are believed to have made the decision due to cuts in the UK defence budget, and significant reductions in order levels.

Employees at the precision engineering company have been working in the defence industry for more than 50 years.

It is now being put forward for acquisition by appointed joint provision liquidators KPMG.

Unite regional officer Gillian McKay said: “AMT’s liquidation has come as a total shock to our members.

“There was no warning from management and absolutely no consultation with the trade union or any indication from them to suggest this would happen.

“We now have a ridiculous situation where exceptionally high-quality precision engineering jobs are being thrown on the unemployment scrapheap due to the UK Government’s cuts agenda. We have serious questions we want answered from the managing director at AMT and Unite will be working very closely with the liquidators to try and help salvage something from this mismanagement wreckage.”

No-one was available for comment at AMT.