6 Concluding comments
67. So far, Kraft appears to
have honoured most of the spirit and letter of the undertakings
that it gave to the previous Business, Innovation and Skills Committee,
although we are concerned about the upcoming pay harmonisation
and the shift of marketing management to Zurich. However understandable
the latter might be, it does not sit entirely comfortably with
the commitments to manage brands out of the UK.
68. We are encouraged, however,
by the recruitment that Kraft is undertaking, by its commitment
to research in the UK and by its wish to "invest its way
to profitability".[85]
Whilst Kraft did not
extend its undertakings on jobs, the strong indication to us was
that the extent of investment at Bournville and other sites would
only make sense alongside retention of employment levels in the
UK. We trust that our interpretation is correct. If it is not,
we shall expect any change in the position to be made public by
Kraft at the earliest opportunity.
69. Our overall conclusion,
therefore, is that, while there remain some significant concerns
about Kraft takeover of Cadbury, a number of positive signs may
be beginning to emerge. Those positive messages would have been
considerably more convincing if conveyed directly to bodies such
as ourselves from the top of the organisation. As for the future,
Kraft's witnesses asked us to judge Kraft on its deeds.[86]
We shall.
85 Q 123 Back
86
Qq 81 and 134 Back
|
