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.
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I work at a Manufacturing Plant - a Steelworks:
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.