Business news in Wales

Jobs hang in the balance as talks start over future of loss-making sawmill

THE future of a South Wales sawmill is under threat after managers yesterday began a consultation exercise. Read

Ever-weaker sterling falls against dollar and euro

THE prospect of more deep cuts in interest rates to come sent the pound plunging against major currencies yesterday. Read

RDF considers takeover bid

THE television production company at the centre of the “Queengate” documentary row yesterday said it had received a £50m takeover approach. Read

Deeper interest rate cuts predicted for 2009

THE Bank of England’s gloomy prediction for the economy in the 2009 has moved forward the prospect of deeper interest rate cuts next year, analysts predicted last night. Read

BSW Timber considers future of Senghenydd Sawmill

THE future of a South Wales sawmill is under threat after managers today began a consultation exercise. Read

Bank of England quarterly inflation report

THERE has been a marked deterioration in the outlook for domestic and global economic activity. Instability in banking and financial markets intensified to levels not seen for almost a century. Read

Welsh Water profits dip thanks to fuel costs

GLAS CYMRU, the company which owns Welsh Water, has reported a fall in profits of around £12m – blaming increased fuel costs and bad debt provision. Read

Sign up for survey to cut energy costs

THE Carbon Trust Wales is urging businesses to sign up for a carbon survey to help reduce their energy costs. Read

Cardiff mental health care unit to create 180 jobs

MENTAL health care business Pastoral Cymru will create 180 jobs in Cardiff next year. Read

Sign up for survey to cut energy costs

THE Carbon Trust Wales is urging businesses to sign up for a carbon survey to help reduce their energy costs. Read

Popty Cae Groes hopes orders for new barley bread will roll in

A FAMILY-RUN bakery is looking to drive UK-wide sales of its new artisan bread. Read

Cardiff mental health care unit to create 180 jobs

MENTAL health care business Pastoral Cymru will create 180 jobs in Cardiff next year. Read

Crumbling buildings hit efficiency

THE state of ageing local authority-owned buildings in the UK is affecting productivity, according to research from real estate adviser DTZ. Read

‘Job creation is close to standstill’

JOB creation is at a “virtual standstill” as employers become increasingly gloomy about prospects for the economy in the wake of the worsening downturn, while smaller firms are cutting staff for the first time in 18 months, new research reveals. Read

Popty Cae Groes hopes orders for new barley bread will roll in

A FAMILY-RUN bakery is looking to drive UK-wide sales of its new artisan bread. Read

Recession fears growing as consumer confidence falls

CONSUMER confidence has fallen to record lows, according to the latest consumer confidence survey from market research company Nielsen and the British Retail Consortium. The silver lining is it is a good time to be a customer. Read

Consulegis network will help companies avoid international law’s pitfalls

A CARDIFF-BASED lawyer is spearheading a specialist group within a network set up to create opportunities for collaboration between independent firms working for international clients. Read

Utilities’ staff enjoy large rises

PAY rises over the past year have averaged 3.3%, but workers in utility firms have enjoyed bigger increases of 4.3%, according to new research. Read

Economic crisis could worsen bullying in the workplace

FIRMS have been accused of failing to do enough to tackle bullying in the workplace amid warnings that the economic downturn could make the problem worse. Read

Northern Foods launches value range as profits crumble by 16%

FOX’S biscuit firm Northern Foods yesterday reported a 16% dip in profits but said it was adapting to the economic downturn with the launch of more “value” ranges. Read