In the early 1980's there were 7000+ people directly employed here
Early 2000's about 2000
2011 (after a major restructure) about 900 people
That number is falling.
Our plant was largest employer in my town, now the University + tourism sector are the largest employers. At times I very much feel like I am working in a dead industry.
The drops in the 1980's were largely caused by automation and technological efficiency. That loss has already been felt. The losses nowadays are caused by shutting down/moth-balling successively more and more of our plant.
Competition from cheaper imports - particularly China is absolutely killing us. Unless you work in the industry it is difficult to comprehend the shear volume China produces. The market is hugely over-saturated.
All the advanced technology in the world can't compete with that. In 20-30+ years China will probably undergo a transformation of it's own as all the manufacturing moves to whatever the next big developing market is (Africa maybe??)
It's nice to say that companies have a social responsibility but at the end of the day they answer to their board and the shareholders. In fact they have a duty to act in the best interests of investors even if it goes against what would be best for their employees. That's the sad fact of capitalism.
In the early 1980's there were 7000+ people directly employed here
Early 2000's about 2000
2011 (after a major restructure) about 900 people
That number is falling.
Our plant was largest employer in my town, now the University + tourism sector are the largest employers. At times I very much feel like I am working in a dead industry.
The drops in the 1980's were largely caused by automation and technological efficiency. That loss has already been felt. The losses nowadays are caused by shutting down/moth-balling successively more and more of our plant.
Competition from cheaper imports - particularly China is absolutely killing us. Unless you work in the industry it is difficult to comprehend the shear volume China produces. The market is hugely over-saturated.
All the advanced technology in the world can't compete with that. In 20-30+ years China will probably undergo a transformation of it's own as all the manufacturing moves to whatever the next big developing market is (Africa maybe??)
It's nice to say that companies have a social responsibility but at the end of the day they answer to their board and the shareholders. In fact they have a duty to act in the best interests of investors even if it goes against what would be best for their employees. That's the sad fact of capitalism.