SAICA announces redundancies at North East corrugated plant

SAICA has revealed that the Hartlepool site has suffered losses in the past few years, which have been exacerbated by the recession.

As recently as April, a company spokesman stressed there were “no plans to make redundancies” at the site, despite the site dropping its third shift and moving to operating two shifts a day.

The company has entered into a month-long consultation with its 176 employees and Unite the union over the redundancies.

It is expected that a number of the redundancies will be voluntary.

The Oaksway Industrial Estate-based factory manufactures corrugated packaging for customers including Nestlé and several breweries.

SAICA will restructure the Hartlepool site, once the redundancies are made, and will invest in new equipment, which will be used to develop a new range of products made from E-flute board.

Managing director of SAICA Pack in the North Andrew Chamberlain said the company was “fully committed” to manufacturing in the North East.

“It is always disappointing to have to make redundancies, but unfortunately we believe we have no option if we are to ensure the long-term future of the Hartlepool plant.”