225 jobs lost as Alberto Culver factory in Swansea closes
HUNDREDS of workers at the Alberto Culver factory are today looking for new jobs after being told it is to close.
The 225 workers at the Swansea Enterprise Park business were told yesterday morning that consumer giant Unilever would be pressing ahead with plans to restructure its UK business first announced in June.
A further 25 jobs will be going at the distribution centre in Bridgend, which serves the Swansea factory.
Engineering technician at the Swansea factory, Robert McFenton, said: "It has come to a shock to some people, but not many workers.
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"My mind has been on the factory closing, the three-month period has given the chance for people to come to terms with it.
"In fairness to Unilever, they have kept us fully informed. Workers can hold their heads high, the factory is still profitable, it is still a high performing factory."
As well as the closures in Swansea and Bridgend by the end of 2013, the factory in Ewloe in Flintshire will also be closed, along with a site in Slough.
But around 200 jobs will be created at the company's Port Sunlight site in the Wirral.
Swansea East MP Sian James said she felt deeply sorry for those who had lost their jobs.
"This has nothing to do with the global economic recession," she said. "There is no rationale behind this move other than a move to maximise profits," said Mrs James.
Her views were echoed by AM Mike Hedges.
He said: "I'm deeply disappointed with today's announcement that Unilever plan to plough ahead with the closure.
"I've already met with officials from Unilever to discuss these damaging proposals and to push forward the strong case for continuing business at their Swansea factory.
"However it's clear that the company is determined to go ahead with the move despite the opposition."
Alberto Culver was purchased by Unilever, which is responsible for well-known brands such as Domestos, Lynx, Marmite, Persil and Pot Noodle, in May 2011.
Amanda Sourry, chairwoman of Unilever UK and Ireland, said: "Following an extensive review, we have decided to move forward with proposals outlined in June.
"We understand that many of our employees will be anxious at this time. That's why we are today pledging a good package of support for employees who are adversely affected."
robert.goodman@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514 665
Comments
by sochat
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 11:13AM
“mwocnd
Calm down dear calm down.”
by tannkerboy
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 1:06AM
“Who is helping WALES in parlerment A DUMMY”
by tannkerboy
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 1:00AM
“The rich get richer ,DON'T FORGETTIT”
by tannkerboy
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 12:57AM
“The little one who is dying cant get the drug to save them, But the pharmaceutical owners or stockbrokers CAN HAVE THE TIME OF THEY LIVE ,Give me the me one reason why that little child has to die.”
by mw0cnd
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:00PM
“sochat People say that you are the perfect idiot. I say that you are not perfect, but you are doing alright. You have an inferiority complex -- and it's fully justified Moron!.”
by mw0cnd
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:55PM
“maxmin I see more Diarrhea of the mouth;from you Why don't you go to the library and brush up on your ignorance? you plank .Your mouth is getting too big for your muzzle and most people who read these pages now know that You are living proof of reincarnation. because No one could possibly get to be so stupid in just one lifetime. what a moron!.”
by sochat
Sunday, September 16 2012, 6:32PM
“They move over the border to England where their costs are lower, eg.Welsh language male bovine dotritus nonsense”
by TaipeiSteve
Sunday, September 16 2012, 3:46PM
“Maxim: Thanks for your reply. It is appreciated.
As you correctly state, the closure of pharmaceutical companies would not result in the demise of disease. However, when profit is the sole aim of an industry, products are created to fulfil this aim – not to benefit the general populous.
In the case of pharmaceutical companies, this philosophy translates into huge investment in treatment medicine, and little investment in medicines that cure - because, obviously, keeping someone hooked on medicines for a lifetime is far more profitable than offering them a one-off cure.
Doctors, nurses and teachers are paid a fixed salary, and so the argument of increased profit does not apply to them
You might find the points in this article to be helpful: http://tinyurl.com/24tjszp”
by maxmin
Sunday, September 16 2012, 10:59AM
“Taipei steve pharmaceutical companies do not create illness and disease, they are already there, what they do is to combat them by manufacturing solutions. If you closed down all the pharmaceutical companies disease wouldn't mysteriously vanish. I suppose you could say that would be in the best interest of the undertakers. But then you have a circular argument because someone would complain that undertakers are making money out of burying people who could have been saved with a little medicine.
To say that it is in their best interest to have an unhealthy population is akin to saying it is in the best interest of doctors and nurses also. You needn't stop there you can say it is in the best interest of all teachers to have an ignorant population.
What do you propose as an alternative?”
by maxmin
Sunday, September 16 2012, 10:49AM
“brochdav, I think you'll find that the majority of shareholders are institutions who are often investing for pension funds. If you have a pension then it is a safe bet that you are a shareholder allbeit through your pension fund.”