ICI distribution bosses' buyout
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/ Chemicals giant ICI is set to accept a management buyout bid for 75% of its "uncompetitive" distribution operation at its Sevemside and Haverton Hill depots, with the rest of the fleet likely to be hived off to outside operators.
The move ends two months of speculation about the future of the tanker fleet, which moves mainly agricultural and associated products (CM 26 May-1 June 1988). The executives, led by transport manager John Robinson, want to take over the two operations, which employ 150 drivers and maintenance men, but the Transport and General Workers' Union fears that the plan could lead to 50 of these jobs being axed.
A majority of workers have opposed the bosses' buyout in a ballot, and now the TGWU is seeking further talks with the company. It is also worried that wages and conditions agreements will be affected.
ICI will only say that a management buyout with partial contracting out is "highly feasible", although financial, technical and staffing considerations still have to be worked out. It is understood that the company wants to ensure that drivers and management are kept togethei as a group.
It is highly unlikely that the distribution operation could have stayed competitive with internal changes alone, says ICI, which has already farmed out its tanker fleet at Wilton. review of its Runcorn depot found that the fleet there would be better kept in-house.
ICI says final decisions will be made in the next few months. It appears to have rejected other options, including an employee buyout, using owner-operators, or contracting-out the whole fleet to a third-party haulier.