Union seeks talks over factory site in buy-out

Thailand-based petrochemicals firm Indorama Ventures is set to purchase the leading polyester films manufacturer which operates the former ICI site at Cargenbridge.
Staff at the site have been told that jobs will be safeguarded, Unite the Union official Andy Macfarlane said: “We’ve got a meeting on November 2 with management at DuPont, and we’re hoping to clarify certain points in regards to the acquisition.“
He added: “We’ll get a much better sense and understanding of the acquisition once we’ve had a meeting with the local management, and then we’ll move on from there.
“Because obviously what we want to look to is a sustainable future within Dumfries and Galloway, within what up to now is a successful site.”
Indorama Ventures Public Company Ltd (IVL) has agreed to acquire DuPont Teikin Films (DTF).
DTF is a joint venture between DuPont and Teijin Limited, and the acquisition includes eight production sites in the US, Europe and China, with a global innovation center in the UK.
The transaction is expected to be completed either late this year or early in 2018.
CEO of Indorama Ventures Aloke Lohia said: “This acquisition marks a new chapter for IVL.
“It is the next step in creating a leading position for customer solutions in films.”
He added: “DTF has a strong history of research and development with over 700 patents, which makes it a strategic fit with our own innovation capabilities.”
“We believe in diversity as a core value of the company and we look forward to welcoming DTF’s strong management team and talented employees into our family.”
Meanwhile, Unite’s concerns lie with the workforce at Cargenbridge, with over 220 members of the union on site.
Mr Macfarlane said: “These jobs are very highly skilled and very valuable jobs.
“They’re valuable in that they offer a good remuneration, but they’re also valuable jobs for the community as well and there’s the potential effects in the community should there be a negativity in this.”