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Category Archives: Industrial
Bring on High Speed Rail and East London Airport
Last week there were two bright thoughts on transport. The first was to start HS2 in the north and build it towards the south. The second was to build a new London Airport in the Thames Estuary on the Isle … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Industrial, Political, Technological, Uncategorized
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Nuclear Power or not
If you were to imagine a worst case scenario you might say a nuclear power station would be hit by an earthquake, followed quickly by a tsunami. People would say don’t be ridiculous how is that going to happen. But … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Industrial, Political, Technological
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Cadbury Profits move to Switzerland
The penalty for letting national treasures move into foreign hands has been highlighted by the decision of Kraft to move Cadbury under the wing of its Swiss low tax centre. This can be done it is said by moving just … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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Removal of official retirement age
This week the government has announced goodbye to compulsory retirement at 65 as of next year. It’s difficult to imagine why anyone would want to carry on working other than for money reasons. Some people claim to love their jobs and … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political, Uncategorized
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Chloride and Tate & Lyle going foreign
More British names transferring overseas. Chloride look certain to be taken over by rival Emerson, a US company. While Tate & Lyle are selling their sugar and syrup business to rival Domino, a US company. Names are never lost, they can … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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British Companies sitting in the heat
BP, BA, Prudential are three names synonymous with Britain and all three are going through strong turbulance. Prudential may have lowered the angst by backing out of their deal but they’ve still got to pay some large bills and decide what … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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New Manufacturing Jobs Announced
After bad news in chocolate and steel manufacturing some good news in cars and nuclear engineering. Most of it with the help of government loans. Nissan announced that their new electrically powered car, the Nissan Leaf, will be produced in Sunderland from 2013. … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Industrial, Political, Technological
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Bad news at Astra Zeneca, Leicester
Being interested in what some call the productive as well as high tech part of the economy it’s worrying that Astra Zeneca are cutting back on their research facilities and closing the Leicester site with the loss of 1,200 jobs. The … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political, Technological
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Is Cadbury gone then?
The Cadbury board announced today that they would recommend the offer from Kraft. Although theoretically it’s not over till the shareholders agree. Yet the offer includes quite a lot of Kraft shares. It isn’t clear that I’d want them. Even … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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Pension pot poison
The British Airways dispute brought out more discussion on its pension deficit. It is said to be £3.7bn and almost 100,000 staff live in expectation of some payment from it, far bigger than the company. Add to that the Royal Mail … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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British Airways cabin crew to strike at Christmas
BA cabin crew today voted to strike for 10 days over the Christmas holiday about changes to their working practises. Those who have booked Christmas holidays with BA must be worrying. It is reported in todays Times that BA cabin crew earn twice as much Virgin … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial
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Smart Meters or not so smart
Is the Smart Meter going to provide the benefits claimed? They say the unreliable wind power will mean less peak capability so incentives will be given to turn off power at peak times and that home generators can sell back … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental, Industrial, Political, Technological
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Depression on the River Tees
Corus announced the probable closure or mothballing of their steel factory on the Tees employing 1700 people and local businesses. It has contracts for 5 more years but the overseas customers are backing out of the deal as the steel … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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Overseas Trains
Rail Magazine noted Britains first Class 70 freight loco’s landed in the UK from the USA. Not long ago the first Class 90′s, named Javelin for high speed lines in Kent came in from Japan. Pendolino’s from Italy. Some Eurostars from France. … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial
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Kraft Dairy Milk or a mistake?
Kraft the US processed food makers are making a bid for Cadbury the Quaker founded British chocolate business. Whether it will succeed isn’t clear but it’s another well known British name going under the hammer. The market has no sentiment … Continue reading
Posted in Industrial, Political
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