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AUSTRALIA: Union wants Hilton Fabrics back in business

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union remains nervous about the future of the Ballarat company, Hilton Fabrics.

The Union is hopeful the company will rebound from a tumultuous few months.

Hilton Fabrics employs 40 workers and went into administration in April. About three weeks ago it was bought by a relative of the former owner.

The Union's Michelle O'Neil says the new owner has assured the workers their entitlements will be rolled over.

She says the Union wants the company to get back on its feet.

"There's plenty of successful textile businesses still operating in Australia and there's every opportunity for Hilton's to be one of those businesses," she said.

"We hope that they can get back on track and that that gives a strong future for the workers and that they can get on with the business of running the business and not worrying so much.

"It's been a very difficult time"

Ms O'Neil says the Union is not convinced the company will succeed.

"It's good to know that the workers have been given those assurances about their entitlements," she said.

"But I don't think they're out of the woods yet.

"We hope that this business succeeds and clearly the workers are working very hard doing their part to try and assist.

"But we really remain nervous about it's future."

About Hilton Fabrics
James Nelson (Vic) which trades as Hilton Fabrics forms part of the James Nelson Textile Group (JNTG).  The group as a whole has identified a series of initiatives to ensure it can effectively position itself to the best advantage in the future trading environment.  These initiative include:

• * Maintaining a workplace culture based on lean principles, co-operation and receptiveness to change.
• * Improving efficiencies in each entity and in the relationship with the other entities in the group.
• * Continuing to build on a greater marketing focus in order to be more attuned to its customers' unique and emerging needs.
• * Continually developing new skills and upgrading equipment and technologies, as appropriate, to meet the evolving needs of its target customer base.

Source: Agencies • News Courtesy: BharatTextile.com