Arco: 'No threat to Hull jobs' as firm announces centre closures

HULL firm Arco, the UK's leading supplier of safety and workwear products, has announced plans to close seven of its centres.

But directors have assured the company's 800-strong Hull workforce that their jobs are not at risk.

It is understood seven, as yet unnamed, sales centres will close. Ten regional centres will be created.

In a statement issued this morning, Thomas Martin and Neil Jowsey, the firm's joint managing directors, 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, competetive prices and great customer service.

"Over the coming months we will deliver a multi-million pound investment programme to improve our performance in each of these key areas of our proposition.

"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 that we treat all staff with the fairness and respect that they deserve."

The firm, which has not been able to rule out compulsory redundancies, has announced a formal consultatiuon period is underway with those workers affected.

Arco has its headquarters and a trade centre in Waverley Street, city centre. Its national distribution centre is off the A63.