Merloni bought Hotpoint in Britain, but walked away from Brandt in France, believing the group to be too complex and troubled.

ECONOMIST: Manufacturing in Europe: How to make it | The

Merloni grew both organically and by acquisition, buying Indesit in 1987, Stinol, Russia's top brand, in 1999, and Hotpoint in Britain last year.

ECONOMIST: Manufacturing in Europe: How to make it | The

Denise Idris-Jones (Labour, Conwy) asked the first minister on his plans to move Assembly offices outside of Cardiff and suggested the Hotpoint plant in Conwy.

BBC: No war on England, the First Minister declared this week.