MAKERS of fire engines in Worcester were celebrating yesterday after being told their jobs had been saved.

More than 70 workers were under the impression they would be made unemployed when Carmichael, which supplies rescue vehicles worldwide, announced it was shifting its production line overseas.

But the firm, which fanned the flames of manufacturing strife in the city with the August announcement, has now done a U-turn.

Bill Wiggins, sales director at the Weir Lane-based company, said: "The thought at the time was that it was not viable to continue production in the UK, but we can now categorically confirm that full production will remain here on a definite basis.

"This is great news for the workers and for the company's position in Worcester.

"Morale is very high at the moment and I am delighted to say we will be continuing our 150-year link with the city. Generations of families have worked here and it means a lot to the local community that they will continue to

do so."

Delighted workers yesterday echoed Mr Wiggins' comments and said they were thrilled at the news.

Richard Tustin, who has worked at the firm for 34 years, said: "When we heard we were obviously gutted, but just had to accept that it was part of life and get on with it.

"We are now looking forward and just hope nothing like this ever happens again."

Ron James has worked for Carmichael for 37 years. He added: "We are really pleased. Half of the workforce has been here for years and years. It is also excellent news in time for Christmas."

The news comes as Carmichael's parent company, Amdac (UK) Ltd, revealed it has further enhanced its global capacity by completing a further fire-related acquisition.

The firm has bought the German firefighting consultant AIW Special Products.

This company sells fire apparatus vehicles, rescue equipment and medical

products.

Mr Wiggins added: "This shows that the Amdac group is globally committed to the industry and clarifies any area of doubt concerning the location of our UK manufacturing operation."

A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN WORCESTER FOR YEARS

Carmichael has been a vehicle maker and household name in Worcester for more than 150 years.

It was founded in 1849, based at The Butts, and produced horse-drawn vehicles, quickly becoming a well-known part of manufacturing in the city.

For decades, it was the hub of the coach building world as it built up a national reputation well into the Victorian era.

But Carmichael always kept abreast of technological advances and switched to bus and coach construction for local firms.

The Second World War saw the company use its maintenance repair and expertise to ensure the vital upkeep of ambulances and fire engines and it was immediately after this period that Carmichael built its first fire engines for the city brigade.

In 1949 a grand new factory was built on five-and-a-half acres of land at Gregory's Mill. This marked the start of a 40-year period of huge demands for its vehicles from fire brigades and airports from Britain and overseas.

However, this arm of the Carmichael operation ceased in 1992, with the closure of the factory.

But six months later a Warwick-based group moved in and started fire engine construction from works in Weir Lane, Lower Wick, which remain the current premises.

It became known as Carmichael International Ltd until AMDAC (UK) Ltd, a British subsidiary of Pesaka Astana, of Malaysia, took over last November.

The merger paved the way for exports to more than 80 countries and it soon became a major player in the heavy-duty and special purpose vehicle sector in the Far East.

STORY SO FAR...

November 2004 - Carmichael International Ltd is taken over by the UK subsidiary of Pesaka Astana of Malasia. The move meant the company would expand into the Far East but bosses said it would not mean the loss of any of the 100 jobs held at the site.

August 2005 - Carmichael bosses announced it would stop making its vehicles in the city and shift production abroad. It was a move that threatened 70 jobs.

October 2005 - Carmichael

U-turned and announced all 70 jobs would now be safe due to business picking up and that the company would continue its 150-year link with the Faithful City.