French transport giant Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has closed its Fareham, Hants, depot following the end of the 30-day consultation period, making 48 employees redundant. An ND spokesman says: "We obviously regret taking that action, but it was a loss-making depot."
He stresses that its closure –
and the threat of closure of two other sites at Bovey Tracey, Devon, and Pontypool, Gwent – were necessary to maintain the profitability of the former Christian Salvesen business in the light of a worsening economic climate.
He adds that the depot had been earmarked for closure by bosses at Salvesen prior to its takeover by ND last year. However, one former driver at the Fareham site, says: "When a depot is losing £5,000 a week, you should do something [to turn it around]."
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