Work in groups of two or three.
a) Read the newspaper article below and discuss any problems of vocabulary.
Toshiba sets up microwave factory in plymouth
THE JAPANESE manufacturing giant, Toshiba, has just opened a microwave oven plant in Plymouth. Devon. The new Factory cost just under £3 million and will eventually produce ovens for all of the major European markets. Toshiba say that in its second year it will be producing at least 20.000 units per year. Toshiba is, of course, very well known in the Plymouth area, having already established a TV and video facility there. This has shown steady growth since being set up five years ago. This morning’s ceremony to mark the opening of the microwave plant was remarkably informal. There was just one speech, given by Dr David Owen, the local Member of Parliament. Following the ceremony, Eric Hammond, General Secretary of the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union (EETPU), spoke about the |
agreement his union had made with Toshiba’s management. Both sides had agreed that strikes would only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. With regard to Toshiba’s much publicized system of open management, Mr Hammond explained that there was a Company Advisory Board where employees and managers regularly meet to discuss sales results, company finances, productivity, quality control etc. However, only the most senior managers were allowed to see important documents. Toshiba is doing extremely well in Great Britain. Their profits for last year were approximately £200 million. Labour relations are excellent and people obviously enjoy working for the company. Toshiba's aim now is to achieve an average growth rate of 30% for its UK companies in the next two years. |
b) Now listen to the following extract from a news broadcast about the opening of the Toshiba factory. You will notice that there are several mistakes in the newspaper article.
c) Listen to the news broadcast again. As you do so, identify the mistakes made by the writer of the article.
d) Compare your findings with the other members of your group.
Writing
The Executive Director of the Devon and Cornwall Development Bureau (a development agency in Southern England) has received a letter from an American company based in Houston, Texas. Read the letter and then write an appropriate reply.
KNOX ELECTRONICS Inc.
Carlton Square Houston (Texas) USA Tel. (713) 439-8884 Fax (713) 439-8885
January 29, 2010
Executive Director Devon and Cornwall Development Bureau Phoenix House Notte St Plymouth PLl 2HF England
Dear Sir,
I have recently been talking to a business colleague who spent some time in your area last summer. He was full of praise for the natural beauty of Devon and Cornwall, and mentioned that you were seeking to attract foreign investment to the region.
My company is planning to set up an overseas plant in Europe, which will manufacture micro-chips. It is possible that we might include Devon and Cornwall in our list of suitable locations. Before doing so, however, I would like to obtain some information on certain specific points. Once I have the answers on these matters, I will perhaps write to you for further documentation.
We would require information about the following:
a) the size of factories available, financial terms, leasehold or freehold etc.; b) the possibility of obtaining a custom-built plant; c) the financial or other Incentives offered to firms setting up in your area; d) the average wage rates of factory workers in the area; e) labour relations in similar high-technology firms operating in the region.
Please let us have any further data you think may be relevant.
Yours faithfully, Jim Bowman Jim Bowman, President |
Module 6
Unit 1