MORE than 100 workers in Blackburn are celebrating their share of a £2 million 'thank-you' from bosses, after helping to put their company back in profit.

About 120 employees of bearings firm NSK RHP, on Roman Road, are among 4,500 staff throughout Europe to share in the bonanza after the turning losses into a pre-tax profit for 1995 of £13 million.

Japanese bosses showed their gratitude by giving £400 to each member of staff who was employed throughout the year.

The former RHP Bearings plant looked set for closure when it was taken over by NSK in 1990.

But the now the NSK RHP European operation, which has 14 sites in Britain, Germany and Switzerland, has been able to contribute to NSK's global profits.

European human resources director Kevin Sheerin, said: "It is part of the Japanese philosophy that they want to share prosperity with the workforce.

"Security is most important and they put money into long-term investment, but they feel that if there is anything left they should pass it on."

A letter to the workforce from European general manager Hiroshi Takada, said: "I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to achieve this result in 1995, our first year of profit since the companies were integrated.

"I am pleased to be able to share our success with you in this way. There remain many challenges ahead of us and 1996 will call for even greater efforts if we are to consolidate our gains so far."

The Blackburn workforce are delighted with the bonus. One employee, who did not want to be named, said: "I just hope everyone's told their wives they have had this money.

"Don't put my name in the paper just in case there are a few who haven't!"

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