James Dyson Denies Moving HQ to Singapore is Brexit-Related
British entrepreneur James Dyson was a prominent supporter of Brexit. Now, he’s moving his company to Singapore. Dyson, best known for their innovative high-end appliances like their range of vacuum cleaners and airblade hand dryers, announced Tuesday that it will relocate its headquarters from the United Kingdom to Singapore to be closer to its customers and manufacturing base.
“This shift has been occurring for some time and will quicken as Dyson brings its electric vehicle to market,” the company said in a statement. Dyson denied the move had anything to do with Brexit, but it’s hard not to read too much into the timing of it all. And of course there are some who aren’t as willing to give Dyson the benefit of the doubt:
Dyson’s decision to move his HQ to Singapore reflects his narrow business interest. This is not just a transfer of two people. When HQs move, so does the intellectual property. Betrayal of the public who put their faith in him as a British business advocating a No Deal Brexit.
— Sam Gyimah MP (@SamGyimah) January 22, 2019
So after 3 years of telling the British people that Brexit would be good for British business, James Dyson moves his company so it’s no longer a British business.
— Joel Willans (@Joelwillans) January 22, 2019
I’m trying really hard to keep my response civil, so think it best I just say I find Dyson’s response a smidge difficult to swallow. 🤬 https://t.co/nf0SvWq8iv
— Heidi Allen MP (@heidiallen75) January 22, 2019
Hi I’m James Dyson
I think Brexit is great
Anyway, I’ll just stand over here
On the other side of the world
‘Future-proofing’, y’know
But you kids carry on
Brexiting
Marvellous idea
Stiff upper lip
It’ll be a great show
— Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) January 22, 2019
Need a moral vacuum? Get a Dyson
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) January 22, 2019
“We have been talking about our pivot to Asia for some time,” CEO Jim Rowan said in a statement. “Asia represents [Dyson’s] largest and fastest growing market of the world,” he said. “Asian consumers are hungry for the most advanced technology and it is the largest electric vehicle market in the world so this trend only will quicken.”
But the move is likely to be seen as a major blow to Britain as it prepares to leave the European Union on 29 March. Some of the biggest companies in the country, including leading global carmakers, have warned that a disorderly exit will snarl supply chains and force them to move jobs and facilities out of Britain.
So far this week:
Sony moving moving to the Netherlands
P&O reflagging as Cypriot
Dyson moving to Singapore
It’s still Tuesday— James Felton (@JimMFelton) January 22, 2019
I think there will be a big backlash against Dyson in the UK. I think his company will see a big drop in its sales over the next year. Do people agree with me?
— Marcus Chown (@marcuschown) January 22, 2019
Some have speculated that Dyson will face backlash for this unpopular move which will result in declining sales, but if it’s dollar signs he’s seeing in Asia, it may not make a difference.
Dyson said in its statement that it would continue to invest and recruit in the United Kingdom. In August, the company said it would invest US$150 million (£116 million) to build test tracks and offices for 2,000 workers at a former Royal Air Force base in England that would be used to develop the electric car. Dyson previously announced plans to build its electric cars in Singapore.
Source: Hadas Gold/CNN International
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