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Diageo meeting
03/09/2009
Fresh talks aimed at saving jobs at drinks firm Diageo have taken place today.
Finance Secretary John Swinney provided David Gosnell, Managing Director of Diageo Global Supply and Global Procurement, and Bryan Donaghey, Managing Director of Diageo Scotland, with details of an alternative business proposition.
Key proposals, developed by the taskforce, include maintaining production at Port Dundas and the construction of a new bottling facility on a Greenfield site in Kilmarnock.
Speaking afterwards Mr Swinney said:
"I have held extensive discussions today with Diageo and Scottish Enterprise regarding the taskforce's alternative business proposition, which would safeguard the economically fragile communities of Kilmarnock and Port Dundas.
"The proposition is predicated on the continuation of business activity at Port Dundas in Glasgow and the establishment of a Greenfield bottling plant in Kilmarnock.
"We have set out the details to Diageo, which have been discussed at length, and Diageo have taken that proposal away for consideration.
"Further discussions between the Government, Scottish Enterprise and Diageo will follow today's talks as we seek to achieve a solution which is in the best interests of the workforce, the company and Scotland as a whole."