Of course, with Bosch being linked in strongly into the region's manufacturing supply chain, this will probably result in the loss of another hundreds of more jobs in the sector. In addition, the indirect jobs dependent on the employment at the plant will be around another 1500 people. So the overall impact could be three times as much as the actual jobs lost in Miskin.
According to Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, there is 'disappointment' regarding the closure despite "the Assembly’s efforts to save the 900 jobs".
What exactly has been those efforts?
For example, how many meetings did the Minister have with senior management in Germany, where the real decisions are made?
I think we have the right to know what exactly WAG has done to try and keep the business in Wales.
Certainly, the much vaunted ProAct scheme, seen as the saviour of the Welsh economy, has proven absolutely useless in this is respect.
But should we really be surprised? Back in June 2006, I wrote that
"It is becoming increasingly clear that the Assembly Government, despite having over 1500 civil servants in the enterprise department, has no strategy to manufacturing cutbacks, apart from closing the gate after the horse has bolted. It is no longer good enough to say that they are not prepared for further cuts and they need to urgently consult with all major manufacturing employers remaining in Wales to ascertain what can be done to ensure they remain in this country. I know that decisions for closure are usually made in overseas HQ, as clearly happened with Dura, but with a better early warning system, the Assembly can at least begin to discuss options, such as MBOs, well before any strategic decision is made to close the plant".
Three and a half years later, it seems that this advice was never taken and it would seem that WAG still haven't got a clue on how to keep jobs in Wales.
So much for the economic renewal programme.
Comments
If, as you suggest, no-one has been to Germany to see Bosch's senior management, then Ieuan Wyn Jones should face a vote of no-confidence in the chamber.
As I pointed out on my blog this morning, the Welsh media need to ask the Welsh Assembly Government what they did did to keep Bosch?
Did Rhodri Morgan or Ieuan Wyn Jones fly to Germany for discussions with the parent company, where the real decisions are made? If not, why not?
When did WAG's account manager for Bosch (yes, they would have one), realise that the company was looking to close the plant?
When did senior civil servants begin to discuss the possible closure with Bosch?
The key question is whether we can get Bosch to change its ind or is it really all over?
If I were Carwyn Jones, I would be using Lord Mandelson's office to contact Franz Fehrenbach, Bosch's chief executive, for one last meeting.
After all, the company employs more than 250,000 people worldwide so what can be done to save 900 jobs here in Wales?