News archives July 1999 Borden Chemicals appoints EC1 THE UK DIVISION of a US chemical major, Borden Chemical, has appointed Hallmark Public Relations to advise on employee and community relations issues following the acquisition of Blagden Chemicals. The acquisition, which doubles the size of Borden's UK operations, called for the comprehensive briefing of staff in l ocations across the UK, Ireland, France and the Netherlands. Account director Tom Roberts, who leads the consultancy's EC1 employment communications practice, has been advising Borden's management. "Plans were announced to expand a facility in Wales, while closing an existing site in Hampshire," said Tom. "This was a classic good news, bad news situation, which had to be handled sensitively while outlining a very positive prognosis for the future. "EC1 prepared plans to balance the interests of all the employees in the communications programme." They included the simultaneous announcement of the plans at all plants and briefings for local media and community leaders. EC1, which was established in 1998, undertakes employee communications consultancy and action for other clients, notably in manufacturing. Tom Roberts' experience includes work for Peugeot, Kuwait Airlines, British American Tobacco and a specialist employee communications consultancy. For further information contact Steve Wilson