Sonoco, the global packaging company, has said that it will restructure itsUnited Kingdom-based tube and core business, resulting in the closure of itsLeek Staffordshire plant and the down-sizing of its Brechin, Scotland, plant,according to Charles Paterno, vice president - Sonoco Europe.
The restructuring follows Sonoco's acquisition in December 2001 of Smurfit's core and tube converting business in the UK, consisting of three converting facilities.
The Leek Staffordshire plant will close from 31 October 2002 andwill affect 31 employees. The Brechin, Scotland, plant will be downsizedeffective from 31 December 2002 and will impact nine employees.
Sonoco will continue to operate six tube and core facilities at Coleford, Slough, Milnrow and Jarrow in England, Lurgan, Northern Ireland and Brechin, Scotland. The company also has a paper mill in Stainland, England.
"This new structure will allow Sonoco to improve its operating performance,increase its customer service and flexibility, and deliver an extended productrange to our current and potential customers," said Paterno.
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $2.6 billion (€2.65bn) global manufacturerof industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, withapproximately 300 operations in 32 countries serving customers in some85 countries.