News

Linpac Allibert, the materials handling division of the Linpac Group, could halve the shopfloor workforce in its UK plastics returnable packaging business when it closes two plants and centralises operations in Winsford, Cheshire.

The firm is to shut its sites in Walsall, which employs 186 staff in manufacturing, and in Bromsgrove, with 13 warehouse workers, and consolidate operations in Cheshire, where it will create around 100 new manufacturing and warehousing jobs.

A spokeswoman said the firm could not yet say how many people would be made redundant, but hoped to find jobs for as many staff as possible. The final figure will be available by the middle of April.

Linpac Allibert managing director Laurence Tanty said: "We are providing employees with the opportunity to relocate, as well as supporting them to find alternative employment."

All machines and tooling will be moved to Winsford, where the firm aims to create a "centre of excellence" for its reusable packaging products.

Winsford will also house the test centre of Linpac Allibert's Intellident business, which designs asset-tracking software and develops RFID-enabled technology.

It will be supported by a new sales and marketing office in the West Midlands, which will house around 70 people from the Walsall and Bromsgrove operations.