JCB workers have hours cut due to coronavirus problems
FACTORIES REDUCING PRODUCTION IN RESPONSE TO SHORTAGE OF PARTS FROM CHINA
HE is a global star famous for his character’s love of dinosaurs.
But it has now been revealed that David Schwimmer, known to most as palaeontologist Ross Geller in American sitcom Friends, is not a fan of Burton’s most popular export, Marmite.
The love-it-or-hate-it brand, made in Burton, has been called “perplexing” by the actor in an interview with the Radio Times.
The 53-year-old was interviewed about his love of all things British, declaring himself a fan of The Great British Bake Off.
However, when asked about British life, Schwimmer said one thing that he could never understand was Marmite.
He said: “That is still completely perplexing to me. I’ve tried it and I really want to understand it.” “How is that still a thing?” Marmite has long traded on its reputation as a divisive British delicacy.
It contains a distinctive, powerful flavour, that is extremely salty, and its famous slogan “Love It or Hate
WORKERS’ hours are being cut as JCB scales down production amid complications involving coronavirus.
JCB is set to reduce production levels at UK factories due to anticipated parts shortages from Chinese suppliers impacted by the outbreak.
The components are parts of the JCB machines made at factories in Rocester, Foston and Uttoxeter.
The move will mean a shorter working week for around 4,000 JCB and agency shop floor employees from Monday, with an immediate suspension of all overtime.
The measures have been discussed with the GMB union and will see the introduction of a 34-hour week for UK production employees until further notice.
JCB employees will be paid for their normal 39-hour week, but will have to work the lost hours back later in the year.
JCB chief operating officer Mark Turner said: “The disruption to the component supply chain in the UK comes at a time when demand for JCB products is very strong, so while this course of action is very unfortunate, it is absolutely necessary to protect the business and our skill base. “Production in the UK has so far been unaffected by the situation in China. However, more than 25 per cent of JCB’s suppliers in China remain closed and those that have reopened are working at reduced capacity and are struggling to make shipments.
“It is therefore clear that the
Mark Turner inbound supply of certain components from Chinese partners will be disrupted in the coming weeks as they seek to replenish their stocks.
“This inevitably means we will not have the required amount of parts needed to build our forecast number of machines in the short term.”
“These measures will ensure that, while we will produce machines in lower than anticipated numbers, we will do so with the same number of employees, whose skills we will need to fulfil customers’ orders when the situation returns to normal.
“We are keeping the situation under review and we anticipate a surge in production levels once this period of supply disruption has passed.”
THREE University of Derby students from Wuhan who were in quarantine after returning from China have remained “fit and well” and have rejoined their classes.
They went into self-isolation because of any possibility that they had contracted coronavirus while they were away from Derby.
They stayed in student accommodation and their food was delivered to them.
A university spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm that the three students from Wuhan have now been able to return to their studies in line with advice from Public Health England.
“We do have three other students who remain in China who have been unable to return to the UK and we are in regular contact with them. Once the impact of their extended time away is fully known, we will support them in catching up on their academic studies.”
The university has 250 Chinese
It”, shows acknowledges it is something of an acquired taste.
The food spread is in fact a by-product of beer brewing and is made from yeast extract.
The yeast was supplied by Bass Brewery after a factory was set up in the town in 1902.
It has been made in Burton ever since and is now produced by Unilever in Wellington Road.
Sophie Allan, brand manager at Marmite, said: “Marmite’s distinctive taste has caused a great divide in Britain, so it’s no surprise that American stars like David find the nation’s favourite savoury spread perplexing.
“Whether a lover or a hater – at least David has tried it!
“Let’s not forget that eight people who hated our yeasty toast topper were converted to loving the divisive spread, thanks to hypnosis… Maybe this will happen to David, too!”
Schwimmer was interviewed as part of his appearance in his first TV comedy since Friends, in the Sky 1 show Intelligence, a secret agentbased comedy.
While this course of action is very unfortunate, it is absolutely necessary to protect the business.
students and has built up strong links with areas of China where many British universities actively recruit their students from.
The university spokesman added: “Our thoughts are also with all those we work with who are still in the affected areas, and we are doing everything we can to maintain those links and continue our relationships.
“We are also working with organisations such as the British Council and China Britain Business Council, who are continuing their efforts to support the recruitment of students from China on behalf of all universities in the UK for the next academic year.”
Around 1,200 people have died in the outbreak and 45,000 cases have been confirmed, mainly in China. There were two confirmed cases in York and six cases in Brighton and two prisoners in jail in Oxfordshire were being tested after one of them returned from Thailand to serve his sentence.