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TV sauce man threat over factory | TV sauce man threat over factory |
(10 minutes later) | |
The businessman behind a spicy sauce, which featured on BBC's Dragons' Den programme has criticised the decision to close a factory which makes it. | The businessman behind a spicy sauce, which featured on BBC's Dragons' Den programme has criticised the decision to close a factory which makes it. |
A total of 151 workers at G Costa at Abercarn, Caerphilly, as well as 28 at Newtown, Powys will lose their jobs. | A total of 151 workers at G Costa at Abercarn, Caerphilly, as well as 28 at Newtown, Powys will lose their jobs. |
London chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots said he would "pull" his business if work moved to Poland. | London chef and entrepreneur Levi Roots said he would "pull" his business if work moved to Poland. |
The company said it needed to secure its long term future by moving to a lower cost manufacturing base. | The company said it needed to secure its long term future by moving to a lower cost manufacturing base. |
The speciality and ethnic food company, which makes a number of products, recently took on work to produce Reggae Reggae Sauce, which won backing from judges on the BBC's Dragons' Den programme. | The speciality and ethnic food company, which makes a number of products, recently took on work to produce Reggae Reggae Sauce, which won backing from judges on the BBC's Dragons' Den programme. |
'Distressed' | 'Distressed' |
Mr Roots' idea, based on his grandmother's recipe, saw him sing a reggae song to impress the panel on the programme. | Mr Roots' idea, based on his grandmother's recipe, saw him sing a reggae song to impress the panel on the programme. |
He told BBC Radio Wales: "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." | He told BBC Radio Wales: "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." |
We can only sustain our business in the longer term by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation Andrew Mayhew, G Costa | We can only sustain our business in the longer term by moving to a lower cost manufacturing operation Andrew Mayhew, G Costa |
After hearing of Mr Roots' threat, a G Costa spokesman said they could not comment further because they were in a 90-day consultation period with staff over the closure. | |
Richard Plaster, an engineer who has 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 has 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. |
Welsh assembly government officials have spoken with the company and will be meeting to discuss any offers of support it can provide. | Welsh assembly government officials have spoken with the company and will be meeting to discuss any offers of support it can provide. |