Historic Glasgow company to close with 'just under 100 jobs impacted'

Albion Automotive based on South Street in Scotstoun will cease operating on October 4 less than a year after the company celebrated its 125th anniversary.

The closure was confirmed in a statement from Albion’s parent company, US-based American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (AAM).

(Image: Gordon Terris)

It is noted that the decision was made due to “long-term business with its largest partner not being extended”.

Matt Kuta, managing director at AAM Europe, said: “American Axle & Manufacturing has announced that its manufacturing facility in Glasgow will cease operations on October 4, 2024.

“The plant in Scotstoun, known locally as Albion Automotive, will close due to the long-term business with its largest customer not being extended.

“Just under 100 jobs will be impacted by the plant closure. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the loyalty and commitment to AAM from all the associates in Glasgow over the last 26 years.”

Albion Automotive was founded on December 30, 1899, as the Albion Car Company Ltd.

The company’s radiator symbol was a rising sun and its marketing slogan was “sure as the sunrise”.

(Image: Gordon Terris)

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Albion Motor Company, 1960 (Image: Newsquest)

Albion’s operations began in the city in a first-floor factory in Finnieston Street which meant the early vehicles it built had to be winched out of the windows onto the road below.

In 1903, the firm moved to a new and much larger premises in Scotstoun, 200 yards from the River Clyde.

It was here that the company began to take off and became associated with the two products that the Albion name is most known for – trucks and buses.

The outside of the Scotstoun premises in 1960 (Image: Newsquest)

Albion was a significant employer of generations of local people, producing and developing engines and vehicles during both World Wars and into the late twentieth century.

It was taken over by Leyland in 1951 and became part of British Leyland in 1968. The name Albion was later dropped in 1972.

Albion Motor Company, 1987 (Image: Newsquest)

However, in 1986 the Scotstoun plant became part of the Leyland DAF group and when the group went into receivership in 1993 the automotive components part of the business was transferred to a new company, Albion Automotive.

American Axle & Manufacturing took over Albion in late 1998 as its first overseas investment.

The company was turning out components for AAM.