by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
On the one hand the likes of KRAFT want to be seen – and the operative term is just that: wanting to be seen – as a company with good ethics and green credentials. That is the very reason the go into partnerships with green businesses such as TerraCycle and also by sponsoring this or that green and ethical organization. Then, on the other hand, they can be seen for that they really are and how they operate in the case of Cadbury's in Britain.
During Kraft's negotiations to buy Cadbury's they promised the workers, the Trade Unions and the country as a whole that they would keep all the factories in Britain working and it was on that promise that the Trade Unions agreed to the takeover.
A week after having gotten the company Kraft then went back on their word and closed the Cadbury's factory near Bristol with the loss of hundreds of workers.
The production from the Bristol plant, so Kraft, is going to be moved abroad. To Poland, no doubt, where Kraft already have a factory to where the Terry's Chocolate business was moved to lock, stock and barrel, not long after Kraft bought Terry's.
During the buyout of Terry's Kraft faithfully promised to keep all of Terry's operations in Britain but not long after the takeover of the company the entire production was moved to Poland.
Seeing the record of this multi-national food giant that Kraft is there is nothing ethical there how ever much they try to clothe themselves in such a mantle. A wolf does not become a sheep by wearing a fleece. I do not give Cadbury's for much longer in Britain as far as production goes.
The closure of Cadbury's Bristol plant is, of that I am nigh on certain, is but the beginning of the end for Cadbury's in Britain.
All that Kraft ever wanted was Cadbury's name. They care little about ethics; Cadvury's or theirs. I doubt that Kraft actually has any ethics.
© 2010
