News

Schawk, the global packaging pre-press specialist, will close its Leeds site by the end of the year, with the loss of up to 56 jobs.

US-based Schawk blamed the closure, which will be its third in less than four years in the UK, on consolidation necessitated by its acquisition-led growth strategy.

A spokesperson said: There has been a global decision to streamline and make our business more efficient to reduce costs in Europe.

It is felt that, for economic and environmental reasons, it is no longer necessary to retain three packaging-focused sites in the UK.

The Leeds closure is the latest in a long period of restructure, starting in 2004 when Schawk Europe was formed through the acquisition of Winnets (formerly Weir) and Seven Worldwide.

Schawk now aims to transfer work from Leeds to its remaining Newcastle and Manchester facilities, where it also hopes to find work for some of the 56 Leeds employees who could otherwise be made redundant.

The company stressed that the decision to close Leeds was not a reflection on the business, adding that the main reason was that the lease for the Leeds site expires next year.

The spokesperson said: As part of this initiative, it will be the Leeds site that will be impacted, one of the main reasons being the close lease expiry date.

This decision is not a reflection on either specific business performance of the site or the dedication and quality of its employees.

SCHAWK RESTRUCTURING TIMELINE
2004 Schawk Europe formed after acquisitions of Winnets (formerly Weir) and Seven Worldwide
July 2005 80 jobs cut with closure of the Bristol site
February 2006 Birmingham site closes with work transferred to Leeds and Newcastle facilities
September 2006 Brad Wills takes over as UK managing director following the departure of Nigel Parsons
November 2006 40 jobs cut at Leeds amid relocation of European headquarters from Leeds to London
December 2008 Up to 56 jobs at risk when Leeds site closes