To improve efficiencies and to respond to the evolving needs of customers in what are tough trading conditions for the industry, International Paper has confirmed it has set out a proposal to close five of its DS Smith packaging sites in the UK.
Additional proposals also include the relocation of one site, the move from 24-7 to 24-5 operations at one site and a small headcount reduction at two further packaging sites in the UK.
International Paper said it expects the proposals would be implemented by the end of this calendar year and that approximately 300 roles may be affected. Although the proposals result from a strategic review by the UK business, as part of International Paper’s transformational journey to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions company, they constitute an update to the intentions with respect to DS Smith set out in the Offer Documentation. A consultation process with employees and unions is ongoing.
Paul Clarke, Managing Director for UK and Ireland Packaging Division, DS Smith, commented, “In what are tough trading conditions for the industry, our goal is to optimise the resources we have, so we can serve our customers even better and ultimately grow our business. This will ensure we respond to the evolving needs of customers to deliver sustainable packaging solutions, and create more value for our people, our customers, and shareholders.”
