New Year New Massive Job Cuts

Competitions

bernard_shaw wrote: »

The modern version of 'taking in each other's washing', of course. Selling houses to each other!

Conrad believes that Starbucks, Esure, Ebay, Tesco & McDonalds generate money for the UK economy.

The truth is they all cost the economy.

Thrugelmir

Conrad wrote: »

However, we will regain manufacturing along with the Germans, Swedes and others, despite some of the plant we own being located abroad.

There is a renassiance going on. I see it in the high tech music production devices arena and many others.

Even the Japanese are lossing thier potence in some areas to the old world.

The chinese bolt things together, but they simply have not got the imagination we have. Having high speed hover trains is not a sign of anything.

Last night I watched a programme which demonstrated computer programmes 'evolving' all by themselves to create unseen and incredible images. Cambridge UK.

Unfortunately the British Empire no longer rules the waves. While we sit and mock others looking out from our property castles. Letting our manufacturing base wither away. (Take a trip to the West Midlands). The world moves on.

Enlighten me as to the major growth areas in the UK.

Really2

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Unfortunately the British Empire no longer rules the waves. While we sit and mock others looking out from our property castles. Letting our manufacturing base wither away. (Take a trip to the West Midlands). The world moves on.

Enlighten me as to the major growth areas in the UK.

Did you see this?

Really2 wrote: »

But then I have heard Makita are moving production from China and Japan to the UK.

With the £ as it is you may find many jobs being created by overseas firms.

Some will come some will go.

West midlands manfacturing went mainly before the recession not during.
Considering it had been the starting place of industry it had to fall one time as we became globalised and low paid countrys got in on the act, Even the rest of the country.

Perhaps we are better at quality stuff?
That is why I put the Makita thing in, they are high end.

Thrugelmir

Really2 wrote: »

Did you see this?



West midlands manfacturing went mainly before the recession not during.
Considering it had been the starting place of industry it had to fall one time as we became globalised and low paid countrys got in on the act, Even the rest of the country.

Perhaps we are better at quality stuff?
That is why I put the Makita thing in, they are high end.

I did.

However you will note I said major growth areas.

Niche, specialist, innovative products and companies are something the UK does well and has done for many years.

Large scale closures have far broader effects than just the Company that's closed. Its the entire supply and services chain into the Company, plus the loss of spend in the local economy as well.

Longer term the skill base will be lost as well.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Wheezy wrote: »

Hamish is right, we can't rely on manufacturing to prop up economy. You want to compete with countries where people work for 50p a day?

Exactly.

The UK is still the worlds 6th largest manufacturer. In that regard, we punch well above our weight. But further decline is inevitable.

We simply CANNOT compete with countries where people get paid 50p a day, or $1 a day, or even $10 a day, to do the same job and produce the same product.

Far better we focus on other parts of a product lifecycle instead of manufacturing, particularly in low value goods or components that will inevitable get moved offshore.

No, we should focus on things that require real skill, rather being processes easily duplicated by someone on a dollar a day.

Things like research and development, design, finance, insurance, logistics, marketing, retailing.

Thrugelmir

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

We simply CANNOT compete with countries where people get paid 50p a day, or $1 a day, or even $10 a day, to do the same job and produce the same product.


.

Why not? Why are we worth more than people in different countries with the same skills?

The market will determine pay.

We recently were recruiting for a position. 4 of the 6 candidates were taking pay cuts, they were happy to do so as its better to have a job than no job. One individual was down 30%.

The job market is changing. As people trade down.

julieq

Minimum wage might be the problem there.

Harry_Powell

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Why not? Why are we worth more than people in different countries with the same skills?

The market will determine pay.

We recently were recruiting for a position. 4 of the 6 candidates were taking pay cuts, they were happy to do so as its better to have a job than no job. One individual was down 30%.

The job market is changing. As people trade down.

Until the economy picks up and all the employers who took advantage of the downturn to reduce wages suddenly witness an exodus of experienced staff. What goes around, comes around... just ask Little Tommy Trinder :mad:.

Really2

Harry_Powell wrote: »

just ask Little Tommy Trinder :mad:.

I can't he keeled over after your karma post the other day.

Thrugelmir

Harry_Powell wrote: »

Until the economy picks up and all the employers who took advantage of the downturn to reduce wages suddenly witness an exodus of experienced staff. What goes around, comes around... just ask Little Tommy Trinder :mad:.

We constantly get lectured about the effects of supply and demand on house prices.

Possibly, for a number of years, the same could be applied to wages, (in a general way) in this country.

Deflationary.

The EU has created a level trading playing field, now up to 27 countries. No import taxes. So interesting times I would think.

Your employer reduced its wage bill for good reason. Very few employees, outside of quoted PLC's, have any true idea as to the real state of their employers affairs. Being on the inside for so long makes me very aware of the extent of the difficlties a lot of Companies are currently going through.

Very few people are non replacable. Short term disruption maybe. But business marches on.