A cut above

Wilkinson Sword Group Ltd has announced a closure, in phases, of its razor production plant in Cramlington, Tyneside, UK, yet the quality of its highly trained and motivated, world class workforce is evidenced in an increase in output since the announcement was made in Oct 1998. Far from being demoralized, company employees have maintained performance improvements achieved since roughly 1995. With plant closure only months away, 250 remaining workers from an original force of 450 people have sustained efforts to produce roughly 52,000-60,000 units per shift compared to 25,000-30,000 per shift in the past. The company has established an on-site job shop which has found placements for 70 people. However, the employees' track records ought to impress prospective employers.