There's shock in Andover after the news that one of the town's biggest employers could be shedding 129 jobs.
Andover Sound revealed on 2nd November that Twinings, the tea makers, are talking to staff after deciding to move some manufacturing to sites abroad. The company wants to improve growth abroad and the jobs could go to a site in China as well as a new factory in Poland.
They have also proposed closing a site in the North East which would mean Andover would take over production for the UK.
However despite their Walworth Business Park plant being upgraded in the process, the number of jobs are set to fall as Marcus Cotter-Stone, the International Supply Director at the company, explains: "All our teas are brought into the UK and two thirds of the volume is re-exported. For us to address this we are proposing the Newcastle site may close and, as a consequence, the UK production done in Newcastle may move to Andover.
"Along with an investment in Andover means, although it's a larger volume, around 129 jobs in Andover may be affected.
"If the proposal is to go ahead, every effort will be made to support affected Andover employees including a retraining programme, outplacement support, opportunities for other roles within the ABF group, and enhanced redundancy packages."
Click play to listen to Ben McGrail's interview with Mr Cotter-Stone.
North West Hampshire's MP gave his reaction to the news to Andover Sound. Sir George Young says it's disappointing: "I hope that there will be consultation about this to see whether this is a final decision or whether there is some room for negotiation and also whether Twinings can put into Andover some of the jobs that are maybe being performed elsewhere in order to compensate.
"As the local MP I'm concerned and I'd like to talk to Twinings to see if there is any role for me to play in minimising the damage to the town."
Due to the proposed changes, a period of consultation is underway with all employees working in manufacturing in Andover. None of Twining's Head Office employees in the town are affected by this proposal.
The company have announced that most job losses won't take effect until 2011 at the earliest.
The closure of the factory in North Shields on Tyneside would lead to 263 people losing their jobs.
We'd like to know your reaction to the news. Do you work for Twinings? If so, let us know by commenting below.
"ghost town george should know the extra money for andover is going on office updates and christmas parties ( top london restaurants then london shows then hotels ) nothing for tea production in this town. ghost town g has seen so many andover companies leave the town, he doesn't care one bit. the andover office staff should hold their heads in shame when there are job cuts in the factory"
me of andover says:
17:28 on Friday 4th December 2009
"just listened to ghost town george ( sir george young ) on andover sound, he's given no support to the work force, he's only backed the management who want to move british jobs abroad, we had more concern from the a.b.f. share holders! ghost town george said he wanted to make sure firms locate here, well maybe keeping the ones already here would be a good start and wasn't ghost town g the one who blocked tesco's 1000 plus jobs here. big thanks to labours sarah evans for her continued and strong support"
peter millward of Andover says:
17:25 on Friday 4th December 2009
"I really think Mr Carr should think carefully before he makes such ill informed and ignorant comments.
China is only one of the options Twinings are talking about.
They are also proposing a move to Poland, we are completely bewildered by this proposition.
Mr Carr may have a well paid and secure job, good for him. His comments however are ill informed and we really do expect much much more from our representatives.
I do not know why he would choose to ignore the Polish side of this equation?
Perhaps the voters of Andover may have some idea and respond accordinly when elections come around next!"
Derek of Artists' Way says:
08:25 on Friday 4th December 2009
"Good luck to all those on their way to London from Andover and North Shields today. You have a mass of support out there, and we need everyone to know that Twinins want to shift production to make even bigger profits than they already do by exploiting cheap labour. To suggest that they're doing it for the environment really is a sick joke.
The silly thing is that Twinings will end up undermining its own reputation -- they can't see the wood for the corporate greed"
Sarah Evans of Andover says:
19:52 on Friday 20th November 2009
"It is disgraceful that this company can up sticks and move abroad to exploit another group of workers and all for greed.
Twinings should be ashamed of themselves letting down workers in Andover & North Sheilds - THese jobs need to be saved for them and for their children in the future.
Sir George should be doing something to help - I am shocked that he seems so unconcerned and thinks competition is more important that local people's jobs. The loss of this number of jobs from such a small town is a massive blow - we should be showing our support for Twinings workers and demanding that the company keeps the jobs in the UK"
bev of north shields says:
13:38 on Sunday 15th November 2009
"hi to everyone at the andover site,would just like to say thanks to everyone for the support you are giving to the staff at twinings your support on facebook is much appreciated"
me of andover says:
21:40 on Saturday 14th November 2009
"sorry, forgot to add on this site is a comment from wolfie smith on the expenses and employment of family members of our mp george young and i just thought he was the man sacked by thatcher and who had his photo taken with young children at village fetes"
me of andover says:
21:02 on Saturday 14th November 2009
"please google save twinings facebook, add as a fan to continue the fight, no surrender"
Vince of Andover says:
10:39 on Thursday 12th November 2009
"Once again the Andover Tories cant see what is wrong with the state of our town, another major firm announces redundancies and its a shame is all they can say. One day when our industrial estates are empty, the last quarter of our once thriving market is gone, people might wake up and vote these muppets out. SGY should be ashamed that he opposed tesco, the coop are only bring half the number of jobs and at minimum wage. Hundreds of thousands wasted on the Guildhall and they still dont know when its going to be a pizza parlour, though we wont be able to afford it on the dole or coops wages. but then there all right Jack"
sara of northumberland says:
19:32 on Wednesday 11th November 2009
"I WORK IN THE NORTH SHIELDS FACTORY,AND HAVE DONE FOR A LOT OF YEARS NOW ,I AM REALLY DEVASTATED BY WHAT IS GOING ON AT BOTH SITES .IT IS REALLY BAD GOING TO WORK AT THE MOMENT THE STRESS AND STRAIN IS TELLING ON EVERYONE IT IS SUCH A SHAME THAT WE HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT BY ABF ."
me of andover says:
23:48 on Tuesday 10th November 2009
"everyone wants to be me! :)"
me of andover says:
23:37 on Tuesday 10th November 2009
"robin toates of outer andover you have a great point, i love yorkshire tea and heartbeat and can't see how twinnings sorry twinings missed this chance to get you to change brew but i think they have thr re-runs of poldark!"
me of andover says:
23:17 on Tuesday 10th November 2009
"this is the real me! come on the other me think of a new name, it's only two letters so shouldn't be too hard! as for twinnings i don't know where that is, i'm from twinings of poland sorry andover! and yes it is third world thats why you all come over to our great country and that's why we are heading over there and as for people who can not think, well they let our managers in to twinnings sorry twinings"
me of andover says:
20:33 on Tuesday 10th November 2009
"if you think that poland is a third world you shouldnt be allowed near twinnings..
they dont need people that cannot think."
Stutterererererer er er er of Andover says:
16:30 on Tuesday 10th November 2009
"Another member of the public has mentioned this, what a joke Sir George Young is. This 'man' represents our town and area? This 'man' who was against everything that Andover needed, where was 'he' during the Vigo Road bandstand? You wonder why the BNP are gaining ground on every other party due to numpties like him and his party? What will this 'man' do for the people of Twinings? I tell you EXACTLY what, he will speak a few words, try look good and basically get NOWHERE. No wonder he lost the chance to be Speaker of the House of commons. Get rid of the twerp. Good luck to those who are at Twinings, i hope you do get somewhere, Sir George Young will be sitting back with his cup of Twinings tea watching his back account swell even more "
me of andover says:
22:56 on Monday 9th November 2009
"mp young what a joke, will not call him sir because that deserves respect and he has none here. if the bnp were in power this would not be allowed to happen, profit making british company selling their workforce to the third world sweat shops of poland and china, one death in china already but the boiling water on the teabag will wash away the blood. life is cheap so it keeps the costs down, plus no green house taxes to pay, bonus!!"
sue of northumberland says:
22:39 on Sunday 8th November 2009
"Once again this proves we are only a number in these firms. All they care about is how
they can look good, doesn't matter who gets hurt in the bargin. What do they get out of this? ONE BIG FAT BONOUS. The royal crest on these boxes should be removed."
peter millward of Andover says:
19:34 on Sunday 8th November 2009
"Dear Dave
The decision to close Twinings is totally unacceptable. No rational explanation has been given. We simply cannot afford to lose these jobs. That is why I will be doing all I can to get the company to re-consider their position and keep the North Shields factory open.
Thank you for getting in touch about this important matter.
Yours sincerely
Stephen Byers, MP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: D Taylor [mailto:d.taylor15@sky.com]
Sent: 04 November 2009 19:29
To: BYERS, Stephen
Subject: TWININGS FACTORY CLOSURE
Hi Stephen my name is Dave a union official at Twinings and hopefully I will be meeting with you on Monday at the usdaw offices, I want to protest at the closure of our factory we were even told by head of manufacturing Peter Willets that closure was not the fault of the workforce as we had always delivered the orders on time. These people who are pushing for this to happen do not care a jot for the people of the north east who work there, we have had numerous years of high production just to be dumped like this. The feeling at the factory is very bad at what is happening, hope to see you Monday.
DAVE
These are the comments being made in north shields and response of local M.P stephen Byers."
peter millward of Andover says:
18:01 on Sunday 8th November 2009
"Good afternoon George,
Thank you for your extremely fast response. I have to say i am some what bewildered by your reply. How competitive do you want us to be? I think - please do not quote me- that Twinings made £64 million in profit this year. How competitive should we be. Perhaps we should rekindle the coal industry in this country and send 12 year old kids down the pits to work.
What Twinings have done is no more than corporate greed; surely even you can see that. If not what hope do the working people of Andover have in relying on you as their M.P.
It is a question many of them may ask if the Andover Advertiser is neutral enough to print this.
Regards
PeteM
To the business editor/ moderator at the Times i will post my initial mail to George Young after this mail, you have published 3 other post's relating to this. Please accept my most profound thanks in giving the small person a voice. I am deeply endebted to you sir/Madam
"
peter millward of Andover says:
17:59 on Sunday 8th November 2009
"Rt Hon Sir George Young
Member for North West Hants
Tel. 01264 401401
Email sirgeorge@sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk
Website www.sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk
Dear Mr Millward
Thank you for the email. On Tesco and the airfield, the Co-op will be providing more jobs on a smaller part of the site than Tesco. I make no apologies for opposing the Tesco application and for supporting an alternative approach, providing a diversity of jobs – and more of them.
On Twinings, of course I regret the loss of jobs in Andover. But if Twinings are to continue to invest in Andover and provide local employment, they have to remain competitive in world markets.
Best wishes, George Young
"
peter millward of Andover says:
16:25 on Sunday 8th November 2009
"Good Afternoon George
I have read your response regarding redundancies at Twinings Andover. I can't tell you how disappointed i am by it.
This is a company that is making Millions of pounds annually in profit. The work force have bent over backwards over several years to implement changes to working practices.
As such, and because we have always been told that we can not compete on wages - with Poland & China - we were told we have to compete on technology and changes to working practice. This we did to the very best of our ability. ( Hence the huge profits made year on year at Twinings)
I, and many people i know; people that are not actually working for Twinings, are absolutely horrified by your response.
We note that when your " Mates" needed help in closing the "Mega Shed " you supported uncompromisingly. The mega shed would have provided 900 jobs for working class families. That of course is of no interest to a Tory.
Well i note your response and yet again realise that the working people of your constituency have been done up like kippers by your good self again.
George Young I salute you in your unbending will to take care of the wealthy and maximise the financial pressures on the poor in order to maintain the status quo. We will of course doff our caps uncompromisingly to you sir, as you would no doubt expect. We must keep the lower classes in there place.
Your Faithfully
Mr Peter Millward
P.S George please pass onto Stephen Byers as i do not have an Address."
me of andover says:
19:22 on Saturday 7th November 2009
"just a second thought with remembrance sunday coming up and thinking of the brave men who gave their lifes for our country and values over the ages how these fat british cats can sell us out to eastern europe for a few euros. it would be nice if andover sound got hold of our top man bob tavener and got a few words from him, he's been very quiet and feel he owes it his workforce to grace us with his wisdom"
me of andover says:
16:41 on Saturday 7th November 2009
"peter millward is right, george young only looks after his own, see how he fought against tesco and the jobs they would have made for the working class. i hope people read these comments and tell family and friends to stop buying twinings tea and lets try and bring this anti british company down. the product going out of the doors is being made by employees who have been stabbed in the back"
peter millward of andover says:
20:29 on Friday 6th November 2009
"Peter Millward of Andover would like to make it perfectly clear that the comments made by " Peter " of Andover at 1542Hrs on the 06/11/09 are not made by Peter Millward.
Peter Millward has several Polish friends at Twinings and believes they have every right to work here. "
loyaltea of andover says:
19:34 on Friday 6th November 2009
"The workforces at the 2 sites have over the years been loyal to twinings & achieved all the targets & goals the company have set them. awards have been won & all targets met. We have been working hard to produce a world class product for a world class company, will the new factories be capable of producing a world class product which in turn will they continue to keep Twinings a world class company. A reputation is very hard to achieve but very easy to lose, The workforce at both plants are passionate about the company & the products we produce, you cannot get higher recognition than have the Queen as a customer. Will HRH continue to consume Twinings tea when the company has made so many of her loyal servants redundant."
mike of andover says:
17:53 on Friday 6th November 2009
"If you think that there is a cheap labor in poland. Time to stop being [censored]ed and check again. .times of cheap labor in poland is over.
Time to wake up and look for another job."
peter millward of andover says:
17:45 on Friday 6th November 2009
"I am very dissapointed in the response to the loss of some 130 jobs at Twinings by my constituency M.P. George Young.
As opposed to the response by the constituency M.P in the North East, Stephen Byers, George young is only worried about more competition being needed in this country.
At least in the north east they can rely on thier M.P for some solid support.
Does George Young not realise - iam sure he does - that Twinings are a profitable company still, that had a work force that bent over backwards to achieve this.
On a personal note i have one sibling just starting Uni and another working very hard to get to uni next year.
We have got to do so much more to stop companies that are making profit moving abroad.
As such George Young should be talking more about making sure that the law is changed to ensure that this sort of avaricious attitude and aproach by the likes of A.B.F to profits abroad can no longer happen legally.
What we need are laws similar to those in France that make this sort of gung ho attitude to every day workers almost impossible to pursue.
This is the sort of help we need from our M.P. as opposed to the gibberish he spouted of about compertition."
Peter of Andover says:
15:42 on Friday 6th November 2009
"I can't see why they would even consider relocating to Poland as there is no work force over there, they are all over here."
jackie of northumberland says:
13:19 on Friday 6th November 2009
"once again its proves that your only a number to these firms how can associted BRITISH foods transfer their production out of britain to poland and china i hope that there customers show there disspleasure by not buying their products if this closeure comes about the only thing they understand is a loss in proffits who wants to buy polish tea ?"
follower of cromwell of newcastle says:
08:52 on Friday 6th November 2009
".....ABF allied BRITISH foods, mmm....."
Sue of Northumberland says:
08:05 on Thursday 5th November 2009
"Up here at the North Shields site we are one big happy and close workforce how could they do this to us after all the years we have been loyal to this company, everyone has bent over backwards to make sure that customer demands are met. This is the thanks we get. SHAME ON YOU."
Geordie Gadgie of Geordieland says:
01:28 on Thursday 5th November 2009
"Check out the Facebook Fan Page to lend your support... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Twinings-North-Shields/202529408867"
kirsty of uk says:
00:20 on Thursday 5th November 2009
"I think its bad that 129 people are going to lose there jobs. Whats going to happen to the people that keep there jobs are there jobs going to stay safe.Are they goin to make profit buy going to China and Poland knowing full well its cheap labour over there. hope north shield could be resolved aswell."
DAVE of NORTHUMBERLAND says:
19:13 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"HI IT IS NICE TO KNOW WE DO HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE AT TWININGS. I WORK AT THE NORTH SHIELDS FACTORY AND DO HAVE SOME FRIENDS AT ANDOVER THROUGH THE UNION. WE ALL FEEL VERY AGRIEVED AT WHAT IS GOING ON, THE COMPANY HAVE HAD VERY GOOD SALE'S AND PRODUCTION FOR THE LAST 5 TO 6 YEARS EVEN THIS LAST YEAR THROUGH THE RECESSION AT BOTH SITE'S. WE DO NEED EVERYONE'S SUPPORT TO TRY AND KEEP PRODUCTION IN ENGLAND AND NOT TO SEND IT ABROAD TO POLAND OR CHINA. WE ARE ALL A GOOD HARD WORKING TEAM AT BOTH SITES AS WAS ADMITTED BY HEAD OF MANUFACTURING PETER WILLETS BEFORE HE DELIVERED THE BAD NEWS. THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING US IN THE NORTH EAST ARE CONTACTING OUR MP STEPHEN BYERS FOR SUPPORT AS THE PEOPLE OF ANDOVER ARE CONTACTING THIER MP. WE DONT DESERVE THIS FOR THE WAY WE HAVE WORKED OVER THE YEARS AND DONE WELL FOR THE COMPANY. THAN YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, BUT PLEASE DONT GIVE UP ON US IN NORTH SHIELDS AS WELL AS ANDOVER"
pepermint tea bag from twinings of andover says:
18:10 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"will the queen stamp stay on the boxes when it moves to poland?
i feel sorry for those employees waiting for that letter., we need our friends and family to keep there jobs "
steve tarrant of andover says:
16:22 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"Twinings tea has the "By appointment to Her Majesty the Queen" on its products. It should have this removed now it has sold out British workers to cheap labour abroad. "
Julian Wellings of UK says:
12:36 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"At a time when Honda a *Japanese* manufacturer is transferring production *into* the UK from Japan to Swindon (the Honda Jazz) it's disappointing that Twinings, an iconic British brand is planning to do the opposite. Hang on...what's that sound I can hear? Oh, it's only the sound of Thomas Twining spinning in his grave."
killme96 of andover says:
10:51 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"i have just been made redundent from a big factorey in andover that is shutting down all works in andover but thay first got rid of most of the work force back in may i think this is just one more nail in the coffin of andover and now that twinnings is just going down the same road ...there will be no money comeing into the town and no new investment in the workforce of the town.. the thing is all the big empoleys loved andover in the good times but when it gets a bit hard thay drop us all and go to easten europe and say its progress "
pete of Andover says:
06:54 on Wednesday 4th November 2009
"I have been a shop steward in Twinings for 15 years now and as such have seen many changes to terms and conditions of employment in Andover. Most of the time these changes have been to the detriment of the employee's.
Twinings would like every one to think that in giving up to 18 months notice that they are acting responsibly.
This could not be further from the truth. It is my opinion - and i have paper work to back this up- that the company's hand was forced into revealing this announcement so early. I have info from one oliver Cromwell informing all and sundry that this was about to happen. Twinings have had no choice but to announce now.
Having just returned from national wage negotiations this year it is appearent that Twinings are still making good profits. Negotiations have been adjourened after no offer was forthcoming. Clearly who ever Twinings decide to keep on at Andover will pay for redundancy for the the company by recieving no pay deal this year.
The move proposed is no more than greed and a willingless on the part of A.B.F. to exploit workers in the east and China who have to work for much lower rates of pay.
Quite recently the company shut it's plant in Northern Ireland and even before consultation had taken place plans and building and installing of plant at Andover were well underway. All of this was going on whilst going through the pretence of consultation in N.I"
Fay of Andover says:
17:12 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"How can people look on the bright side of the fact that they might loose there job!! Yes maybe its a few years away but when people hear news like that its worrying for them its a big company in Andover and that 129 jobs may be affected its still alot of peoples jobs to be gone I feel sorry for these people if they do loose there job. I lost my job nearly a year and half ago and still have got no where lots of interviews but nothing I wouldn't wish it on anyone to loose there job as things aren't great in this town, people want to work here but really stand no chance not everyone can travel to other places to work. Trouble is work is going over to other places knowing that they can pay people cheaper than here."
Jenny of Roman Way says:
15:50 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"Shame on any company at the moment in Andover, or, anywhere else for that matter who feel the need to spring something like this on their staff just before Christmas. My thoughts are with you, the staff at Twinnings. "
JB of Andover says:
13:11 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"So lets see they've had the Andover staff training the poles and now they're going to re-locate to Poland............ Cheap Labour at our expense yet again ! Shame on Twinings"
RS of Andover says:
12:06 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"I am appalled at yet another Andover company having to re-structure, I know of two other large companies who 're-structured'recently - which meant the closure of two factories on West Portway and redundancy for my husband and his colleagues. He had just found temporary employment at Twinings and now has this new development to worry about - i would like to offer my sympathy to those who work there - be it permanent or temp staff who are now faced with a worrying time - in the approach to Christmas as well! For those who have always worked it is a very worrying time - there are no jobs in Andover for men at all. It is about time someone tried to do something about it. Come on George Young help support the workers of Andover."
A Fed Up Resident of Andover says:
09:41 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
""But lets not cast aspersions on anyone either." Sorry to repeat myself Manula but did you not do the same with the youngsters of the town over the bin? If the management know then they should be telling the staff. My thoughts go out to the employees of Twinings as it will probably be an unsettling year or so. Having been through it myself I found the not knowing was worse than the event, so if management know what is going to happen then they should inform the staff so that they can also plan and get on with their lives. Most of the time the staff appreciate the honesty."
PG of Andover of Leafy Grove says:
09:12 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"Is this trouble brewing at Twinings,my sympathy goes out to the employees, let us just hope that it is just a storm in a teacup."
odetojoy of north shields says:
08:35 on Tuesday 3rd November 2009
"at least andover stays open therefore future potential is there......we at north shields are closing completely"
Manuela of Andover Hampshire says:
23:55 on Monday 2nd November 2009
"
love, I am only trying to ease everyone's burden by putting possibly another perspective... but talk I guess is cheap when you are retired.. sorry if you think I was making light of this...actually as always, it is the exact Opposite Many blessings to you all..in this Predicament."
me of andover says:
22:26 on Monday 2nd November 2009
"manuela please don't look on the bright side for me, this is one year and will happen, i've seen abf kill off firms before and as for cotter-stone he would sell his own mother for a cheaper one."
meohmy of andover says:
20:45 on Monday 2nd November 2009
"twinings does it again. give it 5years & the andover site will be closed. you will then find all your tea will come from overseas. cotter-stone & bailey know who is going to get the chop. so why dont they come clean."
Manuela of Andover Hampshire says:
20:01 on Monday 2nd November 2009
"please lets look on the bright side there are two years to go before this possibly needs to happen.
I cannot begin to think how unsettling all this is to the employees that are working there at the moment. But lets not cast aspersions on anyone either. Almost every garment I own no matter how much it cost is made abroad. When I want to speak to Bt or anyone else it invariably being dealt with in India or Parkistan. When I am happy about a bargain... it is not made in England. Only this week the trader that sells fashions in the market twice a week told me that despite his cheap and cheerful clothes, he is finding it very hard indeed. I hope this puts another angle on this sad news item manuela"
me of andover says:
19:12 on Monday 2nd November 2009
"sold out to the poles, cheapest labour and standards to increase the profits per teabag. there is no investment or increase in capacity in andover or there would be no job cuts! cotter-stone is a liar. goodbye to the english cuppa hello to twinski an everyday cheap brew."
