Leafing through company reports is usually a thankless and dull task. No so with Vestas - all sorts of fascinating opinion. Here's to a community buy out of the St. Corss Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight factory by ex-workers, locals, Climate Campers, Bicycologists, Climate Rushers, Workers Liberty, SWP & SP, Green Party, with financial support from Ecotricity and others shall we?
Direct quote from "Shareholder information" 18th August 2009 - available here: 
http://www.vestas.com/en/investor.aspx
"Many people would benefit from seeking inspiration from the inhabitants of the Scottish village of Fintry, who took matters into their own hands when a wind farm was to be constructed in their area. Instead of protesting, they borrowed 2.5 million British pounds, asking the people behind the wind farm to build an extra wind turbine for them. After just over 12 months, the village had earned 140,000 British pounds selling power to the electricity grid. But what is equally important: The people of Fintry have spent the money they earned on Vestas shareholder information 2/2009 03
achieving energy savings enabling even more people to save hundreds of British pounds a year on their heating bills. If only there were more people who showed the same type of creativity as the thrifty Scots! Just think how far we could go. At any rate, this example clearly illustrates that attitudes need to be changed at the locations where the wind turbines are to be installed. The locals may even benefit financially."
---
which contrasts interestingly with their report on the Occupation of the Isle of Wight Factory.
This should read "Many people would benefit from seeking inspiration from the inhabitants of a factory on the St. Cross Business Park, who took matters into their own hands when a wind turbine blade factory was to be closed in their area. Instead of protesting, they occupied their factory, asking the people who owned the factory to allow them to keep producing wind turbine blades there. After just a few days, the company still refused to feel them. But what is equally important: The people of the Isle of Wight, and Britain, have refused to give up and are planning to spend all their money on the Vestas Blades factory, in order to achieve production enabling thousands of people to save hundreds of British pounts a year on their electric bills, and the planet from catastrophic climate change. If only there were more people who showed the same type of creativity as the determined Isle of Wight-ers. Just think how far we could go. At any rate, this example clearly illustrates that attitudes need to be changed at the locations where the wind turbines are to be built. The workers may even benefit financially for once!"
Unfortunately, it actually reads:
"When we announced lay-offs in Denmark in April, we were also compelled not only to lay off staff but close down our blade factory on the Isle of Wight, UK, altogether. Here, the announcement was of course met with some concern, and the situation heated up in late summer when some of the employees occupied the factory."
"The frustrations are understandable, but as the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK fail to install a sufficient number of wind turbines, we cannot justify, being a responsible company, letting operations continue. The fact is that even though the British government – and this is greatly appreciated – is ready to propose new legislation that will set the stage for more renewable energy, we are only dealing with government intentions. All the good visions in central government are thus
not in any way anchored among the local politicians. On the contrary, many of these politicians are evidently helping to build local opposition to wind power."
---
"being a responsible company" responsible to what? the planet? your workforce? your ideals/values/dreams? oh actually, i know the answer... your shareholders...
wake up and smell the greenwash pr bollocks. meet the green boss, same as the old boss - f@ck green capitalism!
http://www.vestas.com/en/investor.aspx "Many people would benefit from seeking inspiration from the inhabitants of the Scottish village of Fintry, who took matters into their own hands when a wind farm was to be constructed in their area. Instead of protesting, they borrowed 2.5 million British pounds, asking the people behind the wind farm to build an extra wind turbine for them. After just over 12 months, the village had earned 140,000 British pounds selling power to the electricity grid. But what is equally important: The people of Fintry have spent the money they earned on Vestas shareholder information 2/2009 03
achieving energy savings enabling even more people to save hundreds of British pounds a year on their heating bills. If only there were more people who showed the same type of creativity as the thrifty Scots! Just think how far we could go. At any rate, this example clearly illustrates that attitudes need to be changed at the locations where the wind turbines are to be installed. The locals may even benefit financially."
---
which contrasts interestingly with their report on the Occupation of the Isle of Wight Factory.
This should read "Many people would benefit from seeking inspiration from the inhabitants of a factory on the St. Cross Business Park, who took matters into their own hands when a wind turbine blade factory was to be closed in their area. Instead of protesting, they occupied their factory, asking the people who owned the factory to allow them to keep producing wind turbine blades there. After just a few days, the company still refused to feel them. But what is equally important: The people of the Isle of Wight, and Britain, have refused to give up and are planning to spend all their money on the Vestas Blades factory, in order to achieve production enabling thousands of people to save hundreds of British pounts a year on their electric bills, and the planet from catastrophic climate change. If only there were more people who showed the same type of creativity as the determined Isle of Wight-ers. Just think how far we could go. At any rate, this example clearly illustrates that attitudes need to be changed at the locations where the wind turbines are to be built. The workers may even benefit financially for once!"
Unfortunately, it actually reads:
"When we announced lay-offs in Denmark in April, we were also compelled not only to lay off staff but close down our blade factory on the Isle of Wight, UK, altogether. Here, the announcement was of course met with some concern, and the situation heated up in late summer when some of the employees occupied the factory."
"The frustrations are understandable, but as the Isle of Wight and the rest of the UK fail to install a sufficient number of wind turbines, we cannot justify, being a responsible company, letting operations continue. The fact is that even though the British government – and this is greatly appreciated – is ready to propose new legislation that will set the stage for more renewable energy, we are only dealing with government intentions. All the good visions in central government are thus
not in any way anchored among the local politicians. On the contrary, many of these politicians are evidently helping to build local opposition to wind power."
---
"being a responsible company" responsible to what? the planet? your workforce? your ideals/values/dreams? oh actually, i know the answer... your shareholders...
wake up and smell the greenwash pr bollocks. meet the green boss, same as the old boss - f@ck green capitalism!
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