SCA has started a period of consultation on the future of its site at Oughtibridge in the UK; a move that could impact 161 staff.
The site has been operating converting lines to convert rolls of paper made elsewhere into commercial toilet rolls, paper hand towels, wiper rolls and medical rolls since 2007.
SCA bought the plant in 2012 as part of a wider acquisition of Georgia-Pacific’s European tissue operations and has since carried out an in-depth review of the UK & ROI business.
In a statement, SCA said: “This review has been concluded with the proposal that the site should be closed and some of the converting lines relocated to another SCA facility at Skelmersdale in Lancashire, with the logistics operation moving to Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan.
“If adopted, the proposals could impact on 161 positions at the site.”
The period of consultation will be for a minimum of 45 days.
Tony Richards, product supply director, SCA, said: “To remain a long-term sustainable employer in the UK, our converting operations at Oughtibridge and Skelmersdale have to be consolidated into one site and expansion of the Oughtibridge site is not economically viable, due to its age, infrastructure and manufacturing limitations.
“We are consulting fully with our employees about our proposals for the closure of Oughtibridge phased over a period until early 2015.”
