Implications for employers of the abolition of the default retirement age


Is your business prepared for a future without a default retirement age?


Following the UK Government’s recent announcement that the default retirement age will be abolished from April this year, employment law specialist David Regan of Mundays Solicitors examined the implications for employees:


• Alternatives to retirement: Performance management or a ‘gentle’ conversation – that could lead to claims of discrimination and constructive dismissal


• Difficulties of performance managing an older colleague: Indirect age discrimination in performance measures and: are these a genuine operational requirement?


• Positive action: Section 159 of the Equality Act came into force in April and employers will now be able to treat a person with a relevant charac- teristic more favourably if both are equally qualified – in this case, the relevant characteristic could be age.


Therefore, could employers choose to hire older or younger people to ‘balance out’ their workforces? Should they?


• Will age be another check added to the ‘equal opportunities’ checklist that employers make new starters sign, so that employers will show they are ‘age-neutral’?


Axel acquires Jesco


Recently, Axel Christiernsson purchased the majority of the assets of Jesco Resources Inc. The business will now be carried forward as Axel Americas LLC, continuing the proud tradition of Jesco as being one of the leading suppliers of lubricating greases on the US market.


During the last ten years, the Axel Christiernsson Group (AXEL) has expanded dramatically, to become one of the leading producers and suppliers of lubricating greases in Europe, with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sweden and the Netherlands. This development has been due to a combination of substantial organic growth together with the acquisition of Christol Grease in Niort, France. The company has thus transformed from being a small local producer in Scandinavia to becoming the leading supplier of lubricating greases on the European ‘business to business’ market.


Today, AXEL works successfully with many of the leading lubricants companies around the world. The company's commitment to the ‘Customised LabelTM


• How to deal with employees you wish to retain for a set period but you could retire now – get them to sign a Compromise Agreement now with a termination date in that agreement, plus a second agreement (which they agree to sign in the first) which they will sign on their termination date


David Regan Mundays Solicitors LLP: 01932 590 599


LINK www.mundays.co.uk


Jesco Resources, with facilities in Kansas City, Mo USA and Rosedale, Ms USA has 41 employees. Since 1929, Jesco has provided superior products and customer support to our clients. As they have evolved, so has Jesco – expanding both its technical capabilities, as well as production, to meet their requirements. Together with AXEL, we move forward a stronger company, ready for new challenges.


AXEL Americas LLC will seek to bring together strengths from both companies to grow the business in order to serve both international and domestic US clients. Johan Stureson, CEO of the AXEL Group will assume the position of President of the company while Richard Howell, previous owner and President of Jesco will remain as Executive Vice President.


Richard Howell: “With Jesco now a part of the AXEL Group, we anticipate continued growth and innovation. Jesco and AXEL both share the same commitment to quality and customer service. This is truly an excellent combination.”


’ concept means that


they have no brands of their own, and do not compete with their customers. Now that AXEL has become the biggest manufacturer of lubricating greases in the European market, the company has started to fulfil their intent to follow international customers on a global scale.


Johan Stureson: “Being the leading lubricant grease manufacturer in Europe, we are thrilled and proud to establish a platform for growth in North America. Jesco represent an excellent acquisition for AXEL with a reputation for remarkable products and resourceful people.”


LINK www.axelch.com


16


LUBE MAGAZINE No.103 JUNE 2011


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44