Arco reassures 800 Hull workers after announcing office closures

ONE of Hull's most successful firms has reassured its city workers their jobs are not under threat and it is not in financial difficulty – despite announcing centres are to close.

Arco, which has its headquarters in Waverley Street, city centre, says the move will affect its 17 sales offices, which employ telephone sales managers.

Under plans, the firm – specialists in work and safety wear – will create ten regional sales centres, with the others closing.

In a statement issued last night, Thomas Martin and Neil Jowsey, said: "As the UK's market leader in safety, we must constantly review our business to ensure that we remain competitive and deliver excellent service to our customers.

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"We've spoken to our customers and they've told us what's important to them – exceptional quality, competitive prices and great customer service."

The firm said it would be delivering multi-million pound investment in its business over the next few months.

It said: "We are confident that this re-organisation will enable us to remain dynamic and develop successful long-term strategies that will deliver what our customers need and a healthy future for the business.

"Some difficult decisions have had to be made and there will, unfortunately, be some job losses as a result of these changes. We have endeavoured to minimise the numbers affected and will continue to ensure we treat staff with the fairness and respect they deserve."

Marketing manager Gillian White said the firm was unable to rule out compulsory job losses among its national workforce of 1,500, although she stressed its 800-strong Hull workforce will not be affected.

She said: "Last year, we undertook research that looked at ways of improving our services for customers.

"Customers said the services needs to be fast, so we are looking at refining our regional sales offices.

"It will not impact Hull at all.

"Arco is not in any financial difficulty and there should not be a threat on any other positions."

Miss White said it is essential for the firm's long-term survival in difficult trading conditions that it adapts to cater for customers' evolving demands.

She said: "We want to grow significantly and secure our long-term future."

Miss White said sales offices are separate to trade centres. She said: "People often confuse the two. Trade centres are essentially shops where people can go to try on a pair of boots and other products in our range."

Arco has one of its 41 trade centres on the same site as its headquarters.

Its national distribution site is located next to the A63.