### ODT Online Wed, 7 Jun 2017
$20m plan to save factory
By Eileen Goodwin
A bid to save the Cadbury factory in Dunedin is being unveiled today. Jim O’Malley, a Dunedin city councillor, is trying to raise $20 million to keep the factory open on a portion of the site. Mr O’Malley is working in a personal capacity; the Dunedin City Council is not involved in the bid. Mr O’Malley’s plan is to run a public share offer aimed at the general public as well as business. Before launching any share offer, Mr O’Malley has organised a two-week pledge period to gauge interest, starting today. […] Shares in Dunedin Manufacturing Holdings (DMH) would be priced at $50 if the offer goes ahead. A website has been launched – www.ownthefactory.co.nz – to register pledges. […] The plant would make the full range of New Zealand favourites, such as Jaffas and Pineapple Lumps, under licence for Mondelez International. […] Mr O’Malley’s plan differs from that of other parties because it involves acquiring part of the site and the equipment, rather than just agreeing to produce the goods.
Read more
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### ODT Online Wed, 7 Jun 2017
Themed hotel still possible: Lund
By Chris Morris
A chocolate-themed hotel could still be built at Dunedin’s Cadbury factory site, even if its backers have to share the space, a Dunedin businessman and city councillor says. The comment came yesterday from Russell Lund, one of those pushing the hotel concept, before news broke yesterday of Cr Jim O’Malley’s bid to save the factory operation, condensed on to a smaller part of the site. […] Mr Lund said the idea of sharing the site was “interesting” and not one that would necessarily kill the hotel concept. The Cadbury factory was on a “massive” site, meaning there was potentially room for a mixture of uses, including a hotel on upper floors alongside a dairy processing plant on the ground floor, he said. But before options could be considered, more detail was needed from Mondelez, he said. […] He expected to hear from Mondelez by the end of next month, but in the meantime, he would discuss the hotel concept with a group of Chinese investors due to visit Dunedin later this month.
Read more
[click to enlarge]
280 Cumberland St, Dunedin 9016 via Google Earth
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When it comes to hotel design, Dunedin can learn from Hobart, writes businessman Russell Lund.
### ODT Online Mon, 8 May 2017
Hotel design: back to the future is where it’s at
By Russell Lund
OPINION The proposed Filleul St, Dunedin, hotel is a remnant of outmoded thinking. Nothing ever remains the same, and the winds of change are sweeping through the accommodation industry. I recently spent time in Hobart to see how it had been able to develop many of its waterfront heritage buildings into viable economic propositions, and received some valuable insights. Hobart now has a population in excess of 200,000, but it was and still is a regional city in economic decline, isolated from Australia’s major centres. Like Dunedin, it has the lowest average household income of any major Australian city, and sees a bright future in tourism based on its built heritage, natural environment and outstanding regional food and wine products. The accompanying photographs show the two hotels rated by TripAdvisor as the best and second best (of 46) hotels in Hobart. The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart is a rectilinear 4.5-star human filing cabinet that is described on TripAdvisor as an architectural scar on the Hobart cityscape. Its level of discernible architectural merit is of a similar standard to the proposed Filleul St hotel which is to say, none at all. Despite its brutal urban demeanor, The Hotel Grand Chancellor is a busy hotel. Its 244 rooms run at an impressive 93% occupancy, but you can hire a room there at any time for less than $A200 ($NZ215). However, the modest Henry Jones Art Hotel nearby, with 52 5-star rooms, a former jam factory, knocks the Grand Chancellor for a revenue six. It also runs at 90%. occupancy, but its average tariff is about double the Grand Chancellor’s, at $A350-$A500 per night. The Henry Jones is able to charge this premium because the property is unique, even in a city renowned for its building heritage.
Read more
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### ODT Online Wed, 17 May 2017
Cadbury expands Hobart factory
Mondelez International is investing $A4 million in Hobart’s Cadbury chocolate factory while pushing ahead with plans to close its Dunedin production line. The food giant announced today the money would buy new equipment to produce two new lines at the Claremont plant, while the southern New Zealand site is due to close in 2018.
Read more
█ For more, enter the term *cadbury* in the search box at right.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
This post is offered in the public interest.
What if? Dunedin... 
Why all the angst about saving !-Cadburys-! pineapple “lumps” when there is a local manufacturer steadily producing an equal/better product? This info has been online already so I searched while not finding where I originally saw it I found these Google results:
The locally-owned confectionery company that Kiwis don’t know about …
http://www.stuff.co.nz/…/The-locally-owned-confectionery-company-that-Kiwis-don-t-know-...
Feb 17, 2017 – Oamaru-based Rainbow Confectionery was making pineapple lumps long before Cadbury and vows to continue long after the company exits …
Pineapple: Lumps or chunks? | Stuff.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/…/Pineapple-Lumps-or-chunks
Jul 12, 2013 – While “pineapple lump” is pretty squarely the favourite name-wise, the original pineapple chunk – invented in Oamaru in 1953 – has been …
Why on earth are Dunedin people so keen to add to Mondelez’s gains, at the same time undermining a local – just up SH1 – company? By all means save jobs, save manufacturing of goods NZers aren’t already making. Yet it’s always Pineapple bloody Lumps highlighted, headlined and talked about.
Rainbow Confectionery (Oamaru, “Chunks”) has an interesting history that local “Cadbury savers” should take a close look at. As a forward plan I’d like to see a Sister-Sweetie City kind of thing develop. Rainbow clearly have the sense to stick to their knitting, i.e. not tie themselves into something bigger than fits their organisation esp not with a huge ruthless enterprise like Mondelez.
Their management has acquired knowhow and perspective in the biz, over the messy years of Regina>multinational>Rainbow. A shared goal of Otago excellence in production of sweets, a cooperative not competitive model, is the most likely to produce wins for all concerned.
The downside is that unlike other Sister City arrangements the scope for expensive extensive jaunts by our city’s Leading Lights is dim…..
Thu, 8 Jun 2017
ODT: Pledges for save Cadbury bid pour in
By Chris Morris
The bid to save Dunedin’s Cadbury factory is off to a strong start, with pledges worth more than $1.7 million by mid-morning today. Jim O’Malley, a Dunedin city councillor, earlier said he was ”really happy” with the public response, a day after unveiling a plan to raise $20 million to keep the Cadbury factory open on a portion of the site. Cont/
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TVNZ 1news
[6:50 pm 7 June] https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/business/could-some-jobs-and-classic-kiwi-chocolates-saved-after-all
[3:58 pm 7 June] https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/save-our-pineapple-lumps-campaign-launched-keep-production-running-dunedins-cadbury-factory
Cadbury stories at RNZ News
[6:50 pm 7 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201846700/councillor-given-fortnight-to-find-money-to-buy-cadbury-factory
[5:42 pm 7 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201846683/crowd-sourcing-for-dunedin-cadbury-factory-warms-up-city
[9:49 am yesterday] http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332441/last-ditch-bid-to-keep-confectionary-made-in-nz
[8:54 am 7 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201846594/dunedin-public-called-on-to-invest-in-cadbury-proposal
[6 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201846523/iconic-sweets-could-yet-remain-in-nz-despite-cadbury-closure
[3 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/332245/jobs-could-be-saved-in-cadbury-factory-closure
[2 June] http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332194/bids-in-to-stop-beloved-sweets-being-made-offshore
RNZ Checkpoint (last night)
Councillor given fortnight to find money to buy Cadbury factory
John Campbell interviews Jim O’Malley [audio and video]
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201846700/councillor-given-fortnight-to-find-money-to-buy-cadbury-factory
Crowd-sourcing for Dunedin Cadbury factory warms up city
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201846683/crowd-sourcing-for-dunedin-cadbury-factory-warms-up-city
Mr O’Malley needs to stick to what he was elected to do. Leave Cadbury alone, and work on getting the ratepayers out of the council owned companies’ multimillion dollar losses.
Mr O’Malley is doing diligence on the share plan as a private citizen. He has clearly stated that to media. If he pulls this off more strength to his arm in this town.
Pledges. Brings to mind the stadium and the pledges that made it a goer. Unfortunately they never eventuated when the call was made for payment. At least it will keep Mr O’Malley’s profile before the public, if he should decide to run for Mayor again. But what is he and council doing about the multimillion dollar council company losses ? Compulsory pledges on ratepayers and increased line charges appear to be the answer to that.
It’s not like fixing the companies is going to produce profit generating factory work for Dunedin people. Any jobs we can save in manufacturing tied to an efficient investment and a strategic business plan is worth the attempt until hopefully production continues and increases, to employ people in greater numbers.
It’s not like a concerted effort won’t happen behind scenes to “fix” the companies, but it will take longer than the period needed to get DMH business focused and rehoused on site.
Better to get the $20M (pledges of private investment capital) sorted this fortnight as a gauge to the viability of a DMH share plan.
Interestingly, Clare Curran said ‘shares’.
Who?
‘Hey I’ve got a great idea for a chocolate themed use for this site that will create loads of jobs. Let’s turn it into a chocolate factory! One that produces purple wrapped (not trademarked) bars of chocolate that are of decent quality. I know of at least one local chocolate brand that is particularly weak, and whose market share is thus ripe for the taking by just such an initiative.
Crazy scheme, Rob LOL
Purple’s out.
At Facebook:
At Facebook:
At facebook:
….Cadbury pledge drive founder Jim O’Malley said he was surprised by the enthusiasm that greeted the bid. Many pledges were coming from Auckland, reflecting high national interest, and there were pledges from overseas.
….A statement from Mondelez spokesman Jake Hatton confirmed Dr O’Malley’s was the only Dunedin-based proposition.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/cadbury-pledges-29m
OWN IT DUNEDIN
At Facebook:
ODT is being vexatious –
Jim O’Malley is leading this campaign in his stated private capacity! Go Jim!
The good old boys and girls clearly do not like millennial CROWD FUNDING initiatives. Get over it.
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Fri, 9 Jun 2017
ODT: Saving Cadbury factory faces barriers
Pledges to save Dunedin’s Cadbury Factory have sailed past the $3 million mark, but there are a lot more hoops to jump through before it can be bought, a consultancy firm warns. Dunedin-based Deloitte partner Mike Horne said although the key aspect was to find the $20 million in funding required to continue to make Kiwi treats such as Pineapple Lumps and Jaffas in this country, actually using the public money came with a lot of restrictions. “You can get pledges but if you’re raising money from the public there’s a whole lot of rules, regulations and financial stipulations to go through,” Mr Horne said. Cont/
The crowdfunding plan was launched by Dunedin resident Dr Jim O’Malley and a group of volunteers two days ago.
At Facebook:
This video lays out a few more understandings about the nature of the Save The Factory initiative by Jim O’Malley and volunteers.
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At Facebook:
The link doesn’t work which is a shame – I’d like to have watched that. Hopefully the plan doesn’t involve making Cadbury products – just hope that it is all about continuing to operate a plant that Cadbury didn’t want. Maybe a possibility of making products for existing companies?
At Facebook:
Both video links posted today via Facebook are working.
Or go to:
● https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/loughrey-interview-can-cadbury-be-saved
● https://www.odt.co.nz/the-south-today?video=5465458927001
At Facebook:
At Facebook:
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Mon, 12 Jun 2017
ODT: $5m eyed in Cadbury pledge drive
Efforts to save Dunedin’s Cadbury factory continue to gather momentum as a pledge drive passes the $4 million mark. Cadbury pledge drive founder Jim O’Malley said he was confident the campaign would climb over the $5 million mark by Wednesday, a week after it started. Cont/
The ODT on Wed 14 June’s front page excelled itself by its over the top enthusiasm for the over the top headlines and superlatives of the mundane. It was a toss up whether the previous night’s rugby match report outshone the Mayor’s claim to put Dunedin ratepayers into more economic ‘poo’ by his comments re the Cadbury closure. That he shows very little appreciation of matters financial is a given, but this latest idea is frightening. He is reported by the ODT….presumably correctly….to be now claiming the instigation for the impetus for a purchase of the factory as a going concern by private operators as his idea. I repeat, the column’s comments:
So, there we are, it was all his doing really, Dr O’Malley had very little to do with it, other than work out a plan and expedite it. Our Mayor is a wonder, but even more, a financial genius. He knows just how good council is at property management, how profitable it is as a department, he also knows that the city does not have a record as a beneficiary other than at expense to ratepayers, he knows the dire position of the council owned operations of Aurora and Delta, he knows that if the Cadbury operation is to be taken over then it is best left to private operators with real skin in the game, not subsidised by ratepayers. He ought to know that the city is in dangerous territory financially but for the ratepayers. So all in all, why would he knowingly rush into this? Is the man having a mid life crisis, or is he mad? That is the question.
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{Link: DCC may support Cadbury venture https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dcc-may-support-cadbury-venture -Eds}
It would appear that Cull is after one of two things. A knighthood for saving Cadbury. Or he intends to stand again for a fourth term as Mayor, and intends to take any opposition out on the way. Such as O’Malley, and take the limelight for himself. It is quite noticeable that he has taken his time to see which way the money was blowing on Cadbury before declaring it was he, and he alone that got this off the ground.
I say this in my personal capacity and not as the website:
What a shallow little twit.
Deja voodoo, it’s that time travel feeling again.
Dave’s anti-stadium speech re the stadium for which money was – honest injun if there’s not enough, line in the sand etc – going to be raised not extorted. Then Candidate Dave, “No more money, just enough to blah-blah” then Mayor Dave opens the city’s veins to keep the stadium on perpetual life support. Good Dave, wonderful Dave, saviour Dave, Dave who put Dunedin on the map (channelling Trump’s chorus of admiration here).
I’m largely in favour of retaining and restoring His Majesty’s (Sammy’s) because it’s a stunning theatre and we could do with one about that size. I think it is a sensible practical size and will be used often.
But seeing this community fund raising effort for the purpose of making second rate chocolate products – which seems to be the point of the “carry on Cadbury production” initiative – now turning into another “ratepayers will pick up the slack” message before all attempts to raise funds elsewhere had been explored! That’s what they did with the stadium, effectively told potential donors not to part with their own money because the ratepayers would pay for it.
Jim O’Malley’s thoughts on the Mayor’s petticoat today would be fascinating but I do suspect Mr O’Malley dwells far above Cull’s level of intelligence and diplomacy.
Interesting comment about Mayor Cull’s involvement in this matter in an update story in ODT today. Does Mayor Cull’s position on a topic depend on who he is talking to?
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/curran-slams-mondelez-threatens-quit#comment-4469
Would I invest in chocolate confectionery? No. Because of the health issues and an impending public health ‘sugar tax’. And I think the future market for sweet snacks is going to go towards healthy and natural ingredients. However, no reason a local factory couldn’t tailor its products towards this market, I suppose, if it can survive long enough. See trade comments on the current ‘chocolate market’.
http://www.euromonitor.com/global-chocolate-confectionery-overview-challenges-opportunities-and-risks/report
Every dietitian who is a performance sportsperson will tell you, you still need sugars and fats. As will diabetics. There is no planned sugar tax for New Zealand. Chocolate is with us forever – it’s a luxury good as much as an every day treat for many. Might as well say there will be no wine for sale because alcohol is a poison. Chocolate compounds are the basis for a large food production and hospitality sector. Don’t forget the Cadbury factory in Dunedin is/was in profit. With new export markets, world’s the oyster for Dunedin-made chocolate confectionery and baking goods.
[opinion only] http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/89926905/The-case-for-and-against-a-sugar-tax-in-New-Zealand
Hmm, thank you for some very good ideas here. Am working on my healthy (some vegan/ vegetarian) chocolate recipes. Creative Commons stuff. Means they are free for commercial use, should the new Dunedin chocolate factory want to use them, for an enthusiastic worldwide market…
Great idea, Diane. Obviously the factory campaign hosted by Jim O’Malley (not the mayor or DCC!) subject to the right finance and management model hopes to produce the iconic sweets as mentioned in mainstream media but that to acquire the dairy for chocolate manufacture on site would allow product development beyond anything carrying the Cadbury name. Which is a rich opportunity for the city through product testing and development.
That’s the way to go. NZ should concentrate more on hi-price niche products. Vegans may be a small group by % but world-wide there are more than NZ can produce for, and with online shopping and their desire to obtain quality product – yes, way to go.
Just as an aside Diane, just how many non vegan and vegetarian dishes are popular?
The way things are going (with the Mayor jumping on a private bandwagon), making chocolates may very well turn out to be Dunedin’s next ‘local public service’. If so, you can be sure that council staff will assure us that it is a ‘good quality and cost-effective’ one.
The legal purpose of local government now is –
To enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities
To meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses. (Local Government Act 2002, section 10 (1)).
These restrictions were intended to restrict local body spending to more of a focus on core services. I don’t see any sign of that happening.
Instead, everything the DCC wants to do seems to be noted in council agendas as either ‘a good quality and cost-effective local public service (eg underwriting the Masters Games) or ‘enabling democratic local decision-making’ (eg investigating support for local refugee settlement).
So now, with the Mayor’s enthusiasm for a private project (which it appears he thought of first) it seems that making chocolate confectionery might be the next ‘local public service’.
Here’s some background info about past local body spending and borrowing. Also comments on the extent of their ‘meddling’ (eg councils setting targets for NCEA pass rates, greenhouse gas emission reductions and reduced child abuse in their communities).
Click to access BetterLocalGvtpr08.pdf
Calvin asks if it’s midlife crisis or madness. Try this – if you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnJTN2qnn_4
All that rates money and wide legal powers of public authority comprise a mighty big hammer!
Given that the government has recognised the huge increases in debt and rates, is it not now beholden on them to enforce their wishes on the profligate local government sector?
Increases in rates and borrowings at such a rate must surely ring alarm bells in the beehive, I know it does in this little beehive.
Diane; Dave Cull must have a hammer from way back as a child. Still got it and everything looks like a nail to him.
Cheers.
One can admire the efforts of trying to run a campaign, but at the same time look sideways at the conflict of interest this will create if Council funds an enterprise initiated by a sitting Councillor.
At Facebook:
Sat, 17 Jun 2017
ODT: Man behind Cadbury bid understands corporates
By Eileen Goodwin
Cadbury pledge drive founder Dr Jim O’Malley [53] is having a crack at raising the money to set up a factory on part of the site. Reporter Eileen Goodwin profiles the Dunedin city councillor who has reason to empathise with laid-off Cadbury workers. […] His background is in biotech and drug development, and he said his skills were relevant to setting up a factory.
….A decade working at a pharmaceutical giant taught Dr O’Malley how to deal with multinationals, and he empathised with Cadbury workers as he too was laid off. He was a biologist in a Pfizer research and development team in Groton, Connecticut, whose members lost their jobs in 2007 amid a sweeping mass lay-off. When companies acquired too many assets because of expansion and mergers, they shed staff and shut facilities – even profitable ones, he said. […] He was irked by Prime Minister Bill English’s comment earlier this year that Cadbury workers would likely prove to be ”resilient”. Until you had been through it, you did not understand how it felt. Cont/
At Facebook:
Search result:
Pascall Confectionery – Cadbury
https://www.cadbury.com.au/Products/Pascall-Confectionery.aspx
Pascall Confectionery. Welcome lolly lovers! Meet the Pascall Lollies family and discover each of our products’ unique personality. We don’t do boring. Or beige.
Pascall Marshmallows · Chocolate Eclairs · Pineapple Lumps · Wine Gums
Sat, 17 Jun 2017
ODT Editorial: Cadbury pledge drive: sweet as?
OPINION There can be little doubt the innovative pledge drive to publicly own a slice of Dunedin’s Cadbury factory has captured the hearts and minds of locals – as well as chocolate lovers from further afield. The factory ownership drive is the brainchild of first-term Dunedin city councillor Jim O’Malley, although he launched the plan in a personal capacity. The Cadbury factory is clearly more than just a business to Dunedinites; it has become symbolic. Is the city being too sentimental, though, or can this emotion be harnessed successfully? […] One point in his favour is the benefit for Mondelez of retaining some chocolate manufacturing alongside its Cadbury World visitor attraction, which it is retaining. Dr O’Malley is now looking at formal capital raising, including crowdfunding and financial support from larger investors. We wish this success, and hope the many questions can be answered positively. [read the full opinion]
Dirty tactics by Mondelez ??
At Facebook:
Hard yards.
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Thu, 22 Jun 2017
ODT: O’Malley stops confectionery bid; has new plan
By Eileen Goodwin
Cadbury pledge founder Jim O’Malley is pulling out of his bid to win a manufacturing contract from Mondelez. Dr O’Malley said he would not be able to meet Mondelez’s timeframes for manufacturing the classic Kiwi confectionery lines in Dunedin. But Dr O’Malley is not giving up; he is devising a new plan to “save the factory”. “We are moving to a new business plan of abandoning confectionery manufacture and advancing straight to making high-quality chocolate. Over the next four months we will develop a business plan to produce high-quality, short-run batch chocolate production.” […] Dr O’Malley said he would write to would-be investors explaining the change of plan.
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Better without.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/curran-slams-mondelez-threatens-quit
The Cadbury brand has plunged so far into cheapness it seemed kind of strange to join them with a little factory. Little factories are for producing quality niche products for the smaller but higher disposable income market.
At Facebook:
Sat, 15 Jul 2017
<a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/business-usual-chocolate-carnival-despite-uncertain-future"ODT: Business as usual for chocolate carnival, despite uncertain future
By Margot Taylor
The future of Dunedin’s multimillion-dollar Cadbury Chocolate Carnival remains uncertain heading into this year’s celebration. The 18th carnival will be launched in the Octagon today. […] The company spent about $200,000 on the carnival each year. Cont/
*emphasis by whatifdunedin
Why would you join in? Hollow ‘carnival’ if you ask me.
That and the Baldwin St steepest street (overlaid with the Jaffa race) have never been my idea of fun. A walk at an Otago beach is more inspirational.
Excuse me for being ageist, Elizabeth – I have it on good authority that you are somewhere past 12 years old. Also informed, perhaps inaccurately, that you’re not Principal Caregiver and Amusement Arranger for a brood of kids.
Beach walk vs Jaffa race, no contest!
You’re lucky, the beaches are there 365 days a year for your inspiration. Dunno about Jaffas for inspiration, I think it’s more about winning, and for scooping up enough for epic sugar rushes.
Guilty Hype! I grew up in the countryside where we made our own fun and exercise that did not include a sugar rush at Baldwin. Jaffas were eaten at night around TV or at the movies.
We had lots of big toys, strong animals – no quarter acre section or less. Fully active expansive childhoods. Not bent over small screens.
Just who picked up all the dirty Jaffas?
Gurgs, you’ve forgotten what it’s like being a kid! Everyone under 12 who hasn’t been contaminated by adult germ phobia knows a quick rub on your shirt gets rid of all known street-borne pathogens.
Mon, 17 Jul 2017
ODT: Chocolate carnival may change
By John Gibb
Mondelez will be making an announcement within a month about the multimillion-dollar investment in an expanded Cadbury World. The company’s New Zealand country head, James Kane, of Auckland, made that comment during a visit to Dunedin and on the opening day of the 18th annual Cadbury Chocolate Carnival on Saturday. […] He was “really confident” about the future of a “new and bigger” and “significantly improved” Cadbury World. […] The company was fully committed to continuing the carnival activities but was giving careful consideration to what form they would be in. Cont/
Last updated 09:23, May 28 2017
Stuff: Documents reveal bitter aftertaste after Dunedin Cadbury factory closure announcement
By Hamish McNeilly
A Frank Gehry hotel and a workers’ chocolate co-operative were floated as replacements after Cadbury announced it would close its Dunedin factory, released emails reveal. After a lengthy delay, the Dunedin City Council has released emails under the Official Information Act concerning the factory’s closure. Food giant Mondelez in February announced a proposal to shut the factory in 2018, with the loss of 350 jobs. That sparked a flurry of emails involving senior council staff.
One from council chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose, which called for “confidentiality”, said “I know there is thinking about the workers buying all/part of the factory for a workers co-operative for the site”.
“BUT that said, most giant multinationals will work bloody hard to ensure none of their machinery, land, resources will be able to assist any business competitor – so, any other chocolate maker, or even sweet maker, food producer.” Cont/
Dr Bidrose says something that occurred to me at the beginning. Truly, does a business help another business to buy their premises & plant to compete, even if unlikely to be a threat?
No, sell your local greengrocer shop and you’ll have to agree not to set up another greengrocer shop within x-distance and/or time e.g. not for 2 years from sale date.
Mondelez isn’t into consideration of humans – workers, communities, even consumers, look how they put out new wrappers disguising the new chocolate recipe (palm oil, reduced cocoa solids, smaller block). Shareholders, board and highest levels of management are the only humans that matter, and I wouldn’t feel all that secure as a high-level manager either.