LOCAL KILMARNOCK MSP COMMENTS ON DIAGEO ANNOUNCEMENT

LOCAL KILMARNOCK MSP COMMENTS ON DIAGEO ANNOUNCEMENT

"HAMMER BLOW TO KILMARNOCK"

Commenting on the announcement by Diageo that it is to make a net jobs cut of up to 500 jobs across Scotland with several hundred job losses at its Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock and plans to close the plant altogether by 2011 local SNP MSP Willie Coffey said:

“I have met the local management this morning and made clear that this decision makes no sense as they are making handsome and significant profits. It’s like the corporate world gone mad.

“The net job losses to Scotland, if this goes ahead will be around 500 – but the impact in Kilmarnock would mean 700 job losses in the town.

“That will be a hammer blow to Kilmarnock if they go through with this. Johnnie Walker has been connected with the town since 1820 and it makes no sense to cut that link.

“It will be a hammer blow to Kilmarnock if they go through with this. Johnnie Walker has been connected with the town since 1820 and it makes no sense to cut that link.

“To abandon that link is scandalous. History plays a big part in the appeal of whisky, but it would appear that Diageo place no value on that history. Focussing solely on the balance sheet is not what built Johnnie Walker into a world-leading brand.

"If Diageo don't feel that they can continue to develop Johnnie Walker from its Kilmarnock base, perhaps they should consider disposing of the brand to a company that can.

“I am grateful that the First Minister has spoken to the company at the earliest opportunity today.

“I can pledge to the workforce at the plant and the people of Kilmarnock that I will be working hard to assist them at this time.”