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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Jobs boost as web warehouse opens | Jobs boost as web warehouse opens |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A distribution centre for the online retailer Amazon covering an area the size of 10 football pitches has been officially opened in Swansea Bay. | |
| The site in Jersey Marine is expected to create 1,200 full-time jobs over five years, and 1,500 seasonal jobs. | The site in Jersey Marine is expected to create 1,200 full-time jobs over five years, and 1,500 seasonal jobs. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan was at the opening and he called it a "powerful shot in the arm" for the Welsh economy. | |
| However, the Unite union has warned against Wales relying on service sector jobs. | |
| The project is in the Neath Port Talbot Council area and its planning involved the local authority and the Welsh Assembly Government. | The project is in the Neath Port Talbot Council area and its planning involved the local authority and the Welsh Assembly Government. |
| It was planned and completed in 16 months, from the first discussions to the opening. | It was planned and completed in 16 months, from the first discussions to the opening. |
| The warehouse is the company's fourth distribution centre in the UK and its largest. The others are in Glenrothes in Fife, Gourock in Inverclyde, and in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. | The warehouse is the company's fourth distribution centre in the UK and its largest. The others are in Glenrothes in Fife, Gourock in Inverclyde, and in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. |
| To have such a big name in e-commerce set up a major European base in Swansea Bay is an outstanding achievement for Wales Rhodri Morgan | To have such a big name in e-commerce set up a major European base in Swansea Bay is an outstanding achievement for Wales Rhodri Morgan |
| Many such warehouses are in the Midlands, and the decision by the company to locate to Swansea was seen as a coup for Wales, which has a growing distribution industry presence. | Many such warehouses are in the Midlands, and the decision by the company to locate to Swansea was seen as a coup for Wales, which has a growing distribution industry presence. |
| More than 200,000 people are employed in the sector. | More than 200,000 people are employed in the sector. |
| Mr Morgan said: "The speed of delivery of this project has been exceptional. | Mr Morgan said: "The speed of delivery of this project has been exceptional. |
| "It is an absolutely textbook example of how to do regional economic development. | "It is an absolutely textbook example of how to do regional economic development. |
| "Amazon is one of only a handful of truly world brands that have emerged since the internet changed the way we live our lives. | "Amazon is one of only a handful of truly world brands that have emerged since the internet changed the way we live our lives. |
| "To have such a big name in e-commerce set up a major European base in Swansea Bay is an outstanding achievement for Wales." | "To have such a big name in e-commerce set up a major European base in Swansea Bay is an outstanding achievement for Wales." |
| As well as the giant warehouse, a new access road has been built. | As well as the giant warehouse, a new access road has been built. |
| "Partnership has been the key to this success and Team Wales looks forward to working closely with Amazon to ensure their on-going success and development in Wales," Mr Morgan added. | "Partnership has been the key to this success and Team Wales looks forward to working closely with Amazon to ensure their on-going success and development in Wales," Mr Morgan added. |
| The new site is Amazon's largest in the UKIn pictures | The new site is Amazon's largest in the UKIn pictures |
| However, the opening came a day after the 3M tape factory in nearby Gorseinon announced it was to shed 185 manufacturing jobs. | However, the opening came a day after the 3M tape factory in nearby Gorseinon announced it was to shed 185 manufacturing jobs. |
| Management at the plant, which opened in 1952, said redundancies were needed to remain competitive. | Management at the plant, which opened in 1952, said redundancies were needed to remain competitive. |
| The union Unite said it was concerned the manufacturing industry in Wales was "on the cusp of an irreversible tipping point". | The union Unite said it was concerned the manufacturing industry in Wales was "on the cusp of an irreversible tipping point". |
| It expressed concern at the replacement of manufacturing jobs with what it called "insecure, low-paid employment in the service sector". | It expressed concern at the replacement of manufacturing jobs with what it called "insecure, low-paid employment in the service sector". |
| "These jobs do not provide the foundations for young people to flourish and play a full and constructive role within their communities," a spokesman said. | "These jobs do not provide the foundations for young people to flourish and play a full and constructive role within their communities," a spokesman said. |