Reaction to proposed closure of Kimberly-Clark plant in Barton
International giant Kimberly-Clark has announced the proposed closure of its Barton manufacturing plant.
The Scunthorpe Telegraph understands staff, who it is thought number around 480, were briefed this morning.
The South Humber bank facility, opened 20 years ago, is a major driver of the economy in Barton and surrounding area, pulling staff from across northern Lincolnshire and the north bank of the Humber.
Kimberly-Clark said it was making strategic changes in Europe to focus its resources and investments on the company’s strongest products and markets, in order to deliver better returns in the future.
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Despite considerable efforts, time and investment, Kimberly-Clark has not been able to build a sustainable, profitable nappies business in Europe.
Therefore, the company plans to stop manufacturing and selling nappies in Europe, with the exception of Italy.
As a result, the company says it has taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of the Barton mill, which manufactures nappies for the UK market.
The company says it will work proactively with employees and local employee representatives during this difficult time and ensure the appropriate consultation processes are followed.
It is expected that the majority of actions associated with this proposal will be completed by the end of 2013.
Dave Faddis, Vice President of Supply Chain, Kimberly-Clark Consumer Europe, said: “No decision such as this is ever taken lightly and it is with regret that we have to propose the closure of Barton as part of changes to our European business.
"My priority is to ensure that employees are treated respectfully and fairly during this stressful time.
"These are tough choices, but they are necessary to improve our competitive position and make Kimberly-Clark’s consumer business stronger in Europe.”
The proposed closure of the Kimberly-Clark plant shocked people in the town today.
Barton Town Mayor Councillor Paul Vickers said: "It is devastating news. Our thoughts are with the workers. We have to do all we can to make sure the workforce can find other employment.
"We want to keep them working in local areas, it is important to have a skilled workforce. With the Humber Bridge tolls coming down we hope we can continue to encourage businesses into the area.
"This does not just affect Barton but the wider Humber area, too.
"Workers come from Scunthorpe, Grimsby, as well as locally."
Vicky Vickers, from Barton Chamber of Trade and Industry, said: "It is a very sad day for everyone. Kimberly Clark have always been big supporters of the Barton Chamber of Trade. It is a body blow to Barton and the area.
"They are superb premises so hopefully someone will take them over. You just have to feel sorry for those staff."
This video shows Mr Faddis addressing the press.
Comments
by englander61
Thursday, October 25 2012, 2:15PM
“I must agree with JohnJohn2011 and HattyTood too many part time jobs , I worked as a trades man the last few years on the steel works two of my work mates wife's worked for council three days a week but where paid more than their husbands in wages , Also is it true that 70% of labouring or factory work jobs have to be given to EU migrant workers , But flooding the country with surplus labour is good for industry to make more profits helping keep wages down . We need to get out the EU and put a halt to immigration and asylum . This is what we must remember at next elections and not vote for the main party's who only seem to work for bankers and investors and the EU which we are pouring money into for what mass unemployment cut backs on services next thing is the NHS to be privatized how will we be able to afford it with no jobs available .”
by JohnJohn2011
Thursday, October 25 2012, 1:58PM
“HattyTood
As we are posting these comments it is highly likely the share holders of K.C are in / completed discussions with interested parties in India / China or Brazil to see if they want a K.C factory there. These companies will relocate any where in the world where they can pay less tax and less wages, they do not care about any worker any where in the world. Take out the machinery and tooling from any factory put it in a shipping container and fit it in the new factory. People outside North Lincolnshire will continue to buy K.C products as largely they will be unaware or simply don't care about the problems created in Nth Lincs. In this country it is our so called leaders who are letting the people down. Get away from the M25 circle around London and it is s**t, if you are inside the M25 life seems normal because you are cocooned in a false world. When the poo really hits the fan which in time it will these MP's / financiers and the like will be off like a bat out of hell. I do feel sorry for all staff including vast amounts of agency staff that are affected; I wonder how many of them gave a second thought to others facing job insecurity six months ago as they thought they had a job for life.”
by HattyTood
Thursday, October 25 2012, 12:25PM
“Completely agree JohnJohn2011
Since the Governments of the past started to hide unemployment behind various schemes which doctor the figures, nobody has any idea of the REAL figure of the UK unemployed.
Agencies were a master stroke and Further Education (sic) hides countless millions.
We also 'import' masses of foreign labour - apparently to combat the skills shortage - yet these workers mostly end up in factories like Kimberly-Clark.
Does anyone here know what these skills are that we are short of ?”
by JohnJohn2011
Thursday, October 25 2012, 11:06AM
“prokopchuk
What Osborne should be saying it that the one million lost full time jobs were replaced by one million part time jobs. It's all lies and manipulation by all major political parties. I can not understand why normal people can not see what is happening in front of their noses.”
by JohnJohn2011
Thursday, October 25 2012, 10:56AM
“prokopchuk
What Osborne should be saying it that the one million lost full time jobs were replaced by one million part time jobs. It's all lies and manipulation by all major political parties. I can not understand why normal people can not see what is happening in front of their noses.”
by prokopchuk
Thursday, October 25 2012, 10:00AM
“Osborne's million private sector jobs will make up for this round of job losses. Out of recession, helped by the Olympic games they say, more people in employment - best not let facts get in the way eh ? Elections - we can change the players, the new ones promise to change, once in the changing rooms of parliament they turn out to play the same old game of fiscal incompetence. We still cheer our team on in the belief they will win. Perhaps it is the way the game is played that needs changing.”
by Derek30
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 8:45PM
“Nice of the Telegraph to give this story so much prominence. Worst thing to happen to Barton for years”
by HattyTood
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 5:52PM
“by Mozart
"HattyTood. We would like to buy British mate - provided it lasted more than 5 minutes!!!"
I bet whatever you bought (and didn't last 5 minutes) wasn't British ;)”
by GeneGenie
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 5:40PM
“Spot on Pizik, why can't we make more of our own trains, ships, heavy plant, hospital equipment etc? Instead we're left sitting pathetically waiting for foreign grown-ups to bestow their mythical wind turbine metropolises on us.”
by WalterGulag
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 4:48PM
“No wait...news just in from the American stock market today...
' Kimberly-Clark said Wednesday (24th Oct) its third-quarter profit increased 20% to $517 million'”