The head of Airbus in the UK has said the aerospace and defence giant would reconisder future investment in the UK were it to leave the European Union.
Paul Kahn, president of Airbus UK, has used a speech in London to make a strong stand in favour of Britain’s EU membership.
“The UK has to have the right competitive environment for investment compared to other countries,” he said.
“Now is the time for industry to speak out and to remind people of examples of success; and we recognise the responsibility to have to be at the forefront of this debate”
Airbus employs 16,000 people in the UK and has annual revenues of more than £6bn.
“If Britain were to leave the EU, would we suddenly close our factory in Broughton? No. With the barriers to entry that exist; and the need for people with skill, passion and commitment, demanded by this type of advanced manufacturing. It would be impossible for us to start making our wings somewhere else for a number of years," he said.
“I believe that it is vital for a company such as Airbus to come out, and make a stand in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union.”
“With a referendum perhaps less than 18 months away…Now is the time for industry to speak out and to remind people of examples of success; and we recognise the responsibility to have to be at the forefront of this debate," he continued.
Mr Kahn’s comments follow those of Sir Mike Rake at last night’s CBI annual dinner, where he called on British industry to speak out on the need for the UK to remain in a reformed Europe.
Marc Bolland, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, used the retailer's results to say that Europe is “important", but said he would need to see what any reforms are “before making a decision.”
Meanwhile Carol Fairweather, chief financial officer of Burberry, said it was a “proudly British company...but we are also a global business and we always have a global outlook.”
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