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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 179 job losses at sauce factories | 179 job losses at sauce factories |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A speciality food and sauce company has announced it plans to close two factories in Wales, with the loss of 179 jobs, and to move work to Poland. | A speciality food and sauce company has announced it plans to close two factories in Wales, with the loss of 179 jobs, and to move work to Poland. |
| G Costa said 151 workers at Abercarn, Caerphilly and 28 at Newtown in Powys would be affected next year. | G Costa said 151 workers at Abercarn, Caerphilly and 28 at Newtown in Powys would be affected next year. |
| The firm said it had to secure its long term future by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation. | The firm said it had to secure its long term future by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation. |
| It recently took on work to produce Reggae Reggae Sauce, which was featured in the BBC's Dragon's Den programme. | It recently took on work to produce Reggae Reggae Sauce, which was featured in the BBC's Dragon's Den programme. |
| The idea came from chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots, based on his grandmother's recipe. | The idea came from chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots, based on his grandmother's recipe. |
| He said he wanted production of his sauce to continue in the UK. | |
| Mr Roots said: "I will pull my business from any company making Reggae Reggae sauce if they are saying they have got to move to Poland because of their problems and I will find somewhere else in the UK to make it" | |
| Distressed | Distressed |
| Richard Plaster, an engineer who's worked for the company and its predecessors since 1962, said people in Abercarn were distressed by news of the closure. | Richard Plaster, an engineer who's worked for the company and its predecessors since 1962, said people in Abercarn were distressed by news of the closure. |
| "The managing director came down and told us that we've done well, we're making a profit, we've done very well over the last two years - but we can get it for a third cheaper in Poland," he said. | "The managing director came down and told us that we've done well, we're making a profit, we've done very well over the last two years - but we can get it for a third cheaper in Poland," he said. |
| "It was a family business when I started out, and to me it's more about accountants making money. | "It was a family business when I started out, and to me it's more about accountants making money. |
| "I think they're hypnotised into the fact that they're going to Poland; I don't think anything will change their view" | "I think they're hypnotised into the fact that they're going to Poland; I don't think anything will change their view" |
| G Costa managing director Andrew Mayhew said: "Proposals of this sort are never easy". | G Costa managing director Andrew Mayhew said: "Proposals of this sort are never easy". |
| 'Effort' | 'Effort' |
| The company, which is part of the giant Associated British Foods group, said it was proposed that both factories would close in spring 2008. | The company, which is part of the giant Associated British Foods group, said it was proposed that both factories would close in spring 2008. |
| A 90-day period of consultation is underway with workers. | A 90-day period of consultation is underway with workers. |
| Mr Mayhew added: "It in no way reflects the commitment and effort of our teams at both sites. | Mr Mayhew added: "It in no way reflects the commitment and effort of our teams at both sites. |
| "However, the reality is that we can only sustain our business in the longer term by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation with more flexibility to make a wider range of products than our current factories will allow." | "However, the reality is that we can only sustain our business in the longer term by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation with more flexibility to make a wider range of products than our current factories will allow." |
| He said the company intended to do "everything possible" to minimise the impact on workers. | He said the company intended to do "everything possible" to minimise the impact on workers. |