After a year which held little more than uncertainty and anxiety for its employees, a Basildon company is looking at last to a brighter future.

Gilbarco's parent company Marconi has been forced to lay off thousands of people worldwide in a bid to make inroads into its multi-billion pound debts.

The redundancies meant 2001 was a worrying year for the 500 staff at petrol station equipment company Gilbarco, based in Crompton Close.

However, at the beginning of this year Gilbarco - then Marconi Commerce Systems - was rescued by the Danaher Corporation, a US-based tool and component manufacturer.

Following the company's integration into the Danaher empire in a £225million deal the focus is firmly on the future, as the company, renamed Gilbarco, launches a major new rebranding.

Mike Tulley, Gilbarco managing director, said: "We are looking forward to the exciting opportunities the acquisition presents."

Published Wednesday August 21, 2002

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