Disappointing to see a factory closure imminent, not too far away in Blackburn. An American company called EDC, Entertainment Distribution Company, is closing the CD replicating facility that employs over 200 people in mid-year. The factory was bought by EDC in 2006 and was to provide a UK base and to enable them to increase production without buying new equipment at their Hanover factory and distribution centre (ref the Manufacturer magazine). Also it appears to enable more consolidation in a contract with Universal.
They are now saying the change in technology to music download and the recession is making them move production to Hanover. Workers at the factory are saying production has recently increased. Jack Straw has said he will speak to the head of EDC and it would be a coup for him if he reversed the decision, otherwise it will appear to many that British jobs are sacrificed too often for ones in Europe. Reverse jobflow being scarce. It could be the lower pound will help and in this case possibly make it less urgent but it isn’t clear if Hanover is running with spare capacity.