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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Web retailer to create 1,200 jobs | Web retailer to create 1,200 jobs |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The internet retailer Amazon has announced it is behind 1,200 jobs being created in south west Wales. | The internet retailer Amazon has announced it is behind 1,200 jobs being created in south west Wales. |
| The distribution centre at Jersey Marine, between Neath and Swansea, will be the size of 10 football pitches and also bring another 1,500 seasonal jobs. | The distribution centre at Jersey Marine, between Neath and Swansea, will be the size of 10 football pitches and also bring another 1,500 seasonal jobs. |
| Meanwhile, 200 jobs are also being created in Llanelli. | Meanwhile, 200 jobs are also being created in Llanelli. |
| The Connaught Motor Company has announced it is setting up its £12m global headquarters, to build its Type D hybrid sports car. | The Connaught Motor Company has announced it is setting up its £12m global headquarters, to build its Type D hybrid sports car. |
| Plans for a warehouse, offices and roads on industrial land off Fabian Way, on the approach to Swansea, were passed by Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee earlier this month. | Plans for a warehouse, offices and roads on industrial land off Fabian Way, on the approach to Swansea, were passed by Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee earlier this month. |
| The planning application was made on behalf of an unnamed company, but internet shopping giant Amazon confirmed on Thursday it was the firm behind the development. | The planning application was made on behalf of an unnamed company, but internet shopping giant Amazon confirmed on Thursday it was the firm behind the development. |
| The company said 1,200 full time jobs will be created at the site over the next five years, with up to 1,500 additional temporary jobs in the build up to Christmas. | The company said 1,200 full time jobs will be created at the site over the next five years, with up to 1,500 additional temporary jobs in the build up to Christmas. |
| The warehouse will be built on a 33 acre site owned by the Welsh assembly government.Enlarge Image | The warehouse will be built on a 33 acre site owned by the Welsh assembly government.Enlarge Image |
| Work on the project would start in April, with the first phase expected to be completed in October 2007. | Work on the project would start in April, with the first phase expected to be completed in October 2007. |
| Labour enterprise spokesman Andrew Davies said he was delighted that Amazon has chosen a site in Wales for its fourth UK distribution centre. | |
| Mr Davies said: "Amazon is one of the world's biggest brands with tens of millions of customers globally. | Mr Davies said: "Amazon is one of the world's biggest brands with tens of millions of customers globally. |
| "This decision by Amazon means Wales will now be part of the multi- million pound European market segment for on-line retailing and we welcome this significant foothold in Wales by a world-class company." | "This decision by Amazon means Wales will now be part of the multi- million pound European market segment for on-line retailing and we welcome this significant foothold in Wales by a world-class company." |
| It is the company's fourth distribution centre in the UK and it said it will handle orders mainly for the home market but also abroad. | |
| Allan Lyall, Amazon's vice president of European operations, said: "We're starting to recruit today and we'd like to have a working operation here in time for Christmas." | |
| Jobs range from distribution staff, management to IT support and pay would be "very competitive for the area". | |
| Mr Lyall said that as well as the company's more traditional books and CD market, they would be distributing electrical and household items. | |
| "We don't see there's any area that Amazon can't move into. | |
| "We feel that the site's great location, coupled with the ability to draw from a pool of strong local talent, will make this an extremely successful operation." | |
| Wales has the available skills sets for the sector Fred Page-Roberts, Connaught | Wales has the available skills sets for the sector Fred Page-Roberts, Connaught |
| Amazon currently has centres in Marston Gate near Milton Keynes, as well as Gourock and Glenrothes in Scotland. | Amazon currently has centres in Marston Gate near Milton Keynes, as well as Gourock and Glenrothes in Scotland. |
| In a further announcement, Connaught Motor Company has said it is setting up its global manufacturing and research and development headquarters in Wales. | In a further announcement, Connaught Motor Company has said it is setting up its global manufacturing and research and development headquarters in Wales. |
| The £12m investment will create 200 "highly skilled" jobs over the next three years, according to Labour's Enterprise spokesman, Andrew Davies. | The £12m investment will create 200 "highly skilled" jobs over the next three years, according to Labour's Enterprise spokesman, Andrew Davies. |
| UK firm Connaught competed in Formula One Grand Prix races in the 1950s and the brand was revived in 2002. | UK firm Connaught competed in Formula One Grand Prix races in the 1950s and the brand was revived in 2002. |
| 'Winning combination' | 'Winning combination' |
| Connaught's technical centre, which will include a production unit, research and development facilities, design workshops and office accommodation, will be built at Llanelli Gate for completion in 2009. | Connaught's technical centre, which will include a production unit, research and development facilities, design workshops and office accommodation, will be built at Llanelli Gate for completion in 2009. |
| In the meantime the company will lease temporary accommodation, including manufacturing space, in the area. | In the meantime the company will lease temporary accommodation, including manufacturing space, in the area. |
| Production of the Connaught Type-D car will begin at the Llanelli Gate site in 2007, with the first customer vehicle due off the production line in early 2008. | Production of the Connaught Type-D car will begin at the Llanelli Gate site in 2007, with the first customer vehicle due off the production line in early 2008. |
| Mr Davies said the announcement was a boost for the automotive sector in Wales. | Mr Davies said the announcement was a boost for the automotive sector in Wales. |
| Connaught chairman Fred Page-Roberts added: "Wales has the available skills sets for the sector, a highly developed supply chain and considerable academic expertise that provides a winning combination." | Connaught chairman Fred Page-Roberts added: "Wales has the available skills sets for the sector, a highly developed supply chain and considerable academic expertise that provides a winning combination." |