The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
North East; Northumberland and Tyne and Wear; Sunderland
Location of affected unit(s)
Pallion
Sector
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Rubber And Plastic Products And Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products Manufacture Of Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products 23 - Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products
240 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
17 January 2007
Employment effect (start)
1 September 2007
Foreseen end date
Description
Spiralling UK energy costs have been blamed for the planned closure of Sunderland's last commercial glassware factory and the loss of 240 jobs. ARC International, which makes the Pyrex and Luminarc brands, also blamed the high costs of UK raw materials. The company said the plant, in the Pallion area of the city, lost 760,000 GBP in 2006 alone. A spokesman said talks with union officials had begun and the factory was due to close in September. A company statement said: 'This plant has not managed to overcome some economic difficulties.' 'The cost of power supplies in the UK has doubled over the last four years and the cost of raw materials is much higher than on the European continent.' 'The production capacity is not sufficiently exploited.' 'This has meant structural losses over several years, with no sign of an upturn, in spite of the full commitment of the staff to the productivity efforts.' Francisco Azcona, general manager of ARC, added: 'The decision is based solely on the continuing adverse situation in our plant and in no way reflects on the performance of the employees.' 'We must now do everything we can to help them in this transition period. I would like once again to express my gratitude for all their efforts.' ARC took over the Pallion plant, which has been producing glass for more than 90 years, from American firm Newell Rubbermaid in 2005.
Sources
17 January 2007: BBC News
Citation
Eurofound (2007), Arc International, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 64785, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/64785.
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
The retail banking sector is fertile ground for studying the impacts of digitalisation on work and employment. Financial services are increasingly provided online, without the intermediary of customer-facing institutions.
European labour markets have recovered strongly from COVID-19. By the end of 2021, little more than 18 months after the start of the pandemic, employment rates in the EU were almost at pre-crisis levels.
