Bosses at Bradford group Schwitzer Europe are expecting re-organisation plans to be announced over the next few weeks since the company was taken over by an American global firm.

The group, which is based on two sites on the Euroway Estate, has been taken over by Borg Warner Automobiles.

The American firm has also taken over a number of companies in Europe which will involve the American bosses in a major re-organisation.

The firm, which has put some of its workers through an extensive training programme in the last few months, was visited last year by the Duke of Kent because of its excellent export record.

Schwitzer Europe employs 400 workers at factories on two sides of the industrial estate. Some 300 workers are employed by Schwitzer Turbochargers which has been on the site since 1978 and a further 100 work at Kysor Cooling Systems.

Schwitzer spokeswoman Verity Burke said today: "There is little to say at the moment about what will happen at Schwitzer in Bradford but we will get to know more over the next few weeks."

Bradford-based BTAL (UK) Ltd has helped Schwitzer Turbochargers develop its staff to compete in a globally competitive marketplace through adult NVQ programmes.

The management at Schwitzer identified a skill shortage in their production department, which would have hit their competitiveness so they decided to invest in their own people rather than recruit externally.

Schwitzer's personnel manager Christine Cliffe said: "We trust BTAL. They have vast experience within the engineering industry and deliver what they say they will."

Twelve workers began on the road to achieve Level 2 NVQs in engineering production. Eighteen months on, ten have achieved the standard and two are still working on it.

Christine Cliffe said: "We are highly delighted with our people's efforts. They are now much more capable to meet the challenges of our industry. Schwitzer now has a higher skilled, more flexible and motivated production team."

The programme was so successful that a further 18 workers at Schwitzer are committed to achieving NVQs in partnership with BTAL.

BTAL's Howard Bell added: "it is great to see a local firm investing time and money in its people to ensure business success."

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