Cash-crisis factory staff in crunch talks

Administrators in bid to sell struggling computer firm

A rider on a white horse joined people on a walk for peace as part of commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing. Residents of the town in Dumfriesshire, and those who helped in the aftermath of the tragedy, were among the 50-strong group taking part in the poignant event yesterday. Religious leaders and representatives from Allanton World Peace Sanctuary also joined the gathering. The

Jackie Grant Administrators have been called in to a computer factory who told their workforce days before Christmas that they wouldn’t be paid.

Staff at Kaiam’s Livingston plant have been invited to attend a meeting tomorrow to discuss the firm’s future as accountants KPMG were drafted in.

The insolvency experts were appointed to Kaiam Europe Limited (KEL) and Kaiam walkers scaled Burnswark, a hill to the south of Lockerbie.

It overlooks the area affected by the 1988 tragedy in which 270 people died after Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed.

The walkers carried with them 21 flags to represent the 21 nationalities of the victims of the air disaster, the biggest mass murder on British soil in recent UK Limited (KUL) on Friday. Kaiam’s 300 employees were told they would not get their wages for the month – and were advised to call a helpline on Christmas Eve for an update.

The West Lothian company said they could not pay on time because of cash-flow history. Krystal Anderson met the group at the summit after riding her white horse, Rebel, as she carried the Lockerbie Standard.

Krystal is from one of the many local families who helped in the aftermath of the bombing.

She said: “So many people were affected by the bombing, but the community really showed problems. Kaiam CEO Bardia Pezeshki visited the plant the day before the announcement was made but said nothing about wages being withheld.

Shocked staff were also told that they did not need to turn up for work until January 3.

Kaiam, based in California, make parts that allow data to be sent at high speeds between computer servers. They got a £850,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise to relocate from a site in China to Livingston.

Blair Nimmo, global head of insolvency how strong it is and everybody rallied round. Ever since then people from this area have been working for peace. I see the ride as being a way to help spread that message of peace.”

The hill walk was one of three linked Journey Towards Peace events that focus on hope, kindness and the need to end conflict. at KPMG, said: “We are exploring a sale of the business and are working with Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and West Lothian Council to provide a full range of support to the company’s employees as this process takes place.”

Meanwhi le, a hub was set up at Livingston Station Community Centre, where donations of toys and food could be made and picked up by Kaiam staff. It will run until Christmas Eve at 2pm.

No one from Kaiam was available for comment.