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Web retailer to create 1,200 jobs Web retailer to create 1,200 jobs
(about 4 hours 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 application was made on behalf of an unnamed company, but Amazon confirmed on Thursday that 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 would be created over 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 ImageThe 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 will 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. It is the company's fourth distribution centre in the UK - with others in Milton Keynes and in Scotland - and it said it will handle orders mainly for the home market but also abroad.
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."
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."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".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.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," he added.
"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, ConnaughtWales 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.
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. Labour enterprise spokesman Andrew Davies said Connaught's 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." And he said he was "delighted" with the Amazon investment
Mr Davies said: "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."
'Positive'
Other political parties welcomed the two announcements.
Plaid Cymru's economic development spokesperson Alun Ffred Jones said: "There are more opportunities for young people entering the labour market and this is all to the good.
"What we need to do is spread that prosperity throughout Wales which has seen severe losses in manufacturing and other jobs, especially in rural Wales, over the last few weeks."
Welsh Liberal Democrat enterprise spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, said: "After all the job losses and economic problems that the area has faced in recent years, it is great to be able to have something positive to talk about.
"These two job announcements are a further and welcome boost to the local economy, and hope this will encourage more companies to consider locating in the area."
Speaking about the Amazon announcement, Conservative economical development spokesman Alun Cairns said: "Clearly it's good news...but I'm not convinced it's the added value jobs we need because Wales is the poorest part of the United Kingdom."
On the Connaught manufacturing jobs in Llanelli, Mr Cairns added: "When we consider we've lost 5,000 quality manufacturing jobs in Wales in the last 12 months alone...it's more like this Llanelli announcement we need."