HP K.O. D-DAY - THE STIRRER'S BRUMMIE BLOG FOR WEDNESDAY

23-08-2006

Workers at the historic HP sauce factory in Birmingham are expected to learn of their fate later today - and the omens aren't promising.

If owners Heinz decide to close the Aston site and switch production to Holland, it won't be the first time a famous brand name has been lost the West Midlands.

But the disappearance of yet another “sauce” of local pride demands a response - like a boycott, maybe.

HP has a long and illustrious history in Birmingham after being invented in 1903 by Mr Garton, a Nottingham grocer.

He gave the sauce its name after hearing that it was popular in the houses of parliament.

The Westminster connection continued in the '60s and '70s when it acquired the nickname “Wilson's Gravy” - because it was allegedly the favourite condiment of the then prime minister Harold Wilson.

Throughout those years, it's a product in which successive generations of Brummies have been able to take pride.

There's something unique about that tangy mix of mulched fruit, vinegar and spices and the pride we take in seeing it on dinner tables around the world gives it a special place in our hearts.

Not for much longer though.

Heinz is busy appeasing a group of aggressive shareholders led by billionaire Nelson Peltz who want to slash costs.

The rebels, who include the golfer Greg Norman, are thought to have won a seat on the company's board.

They aren't doing too badly already mind - in June, Heinz announced it was increasing dividends by 16%.

It's estimated that the boardroom battle will have cost the company around $12 million dollars - small change for a company worth more than $9 billion greenbacks, but what a pity that kind of money wasn't diverted down Aston way instead.

Such is the manner of global business - investors in America demand economies, and 125 workers in Birmingham lose their jobs.

Now no one is suggesting that businesses should never have to close; or that cost savings can't be made.

But if HP shuts it won't be because it's an intrinsically unviable operation.

Production will end because the factory iscaught in the crossfire of a boardroom row about exactly how profitable and already wealthy company should be.

No wonder the T&G union has suggested that if the worst happens they might call for a boycott of all Heinz products.

Businesses have to understand that workers aren't simply pawns on a global chess board to be moved around at will.

They are human beings with familes to support, dreams to nurture, aspirations to fulfil.

When a work disappears employeeslose more than a job; their very identity is compromised.

We like to think we're reasonable people in the West Midlands - friendly, hard working and creative.

Come to us and explain why change is necessary and we'll discuss it - and probably come up with a few positive ideas of our own.

But trample all over us, and ignore our humanity - and you might just find that a simple factory closure costs far more than any theoretical saving.

So here's a promise Heinz - if HP goes abroad, never mind your famous 57 varieties, we won't be buying any one of your products in The Stirrer household again.