Dundee printer enters period of consultation as 117 jobs face axe

The company operates one of three global transfer media facilities from premises on the city’s Old Glamis Road.

Bosses informed shocked staff this week that “significant and worsening financial losses” meant it was now considering closing the facility and work carried out in Dundee transfered to a consolidated site in America, meaning the potential loss of a total of 117 Dundee jobs.

The company blamed the “irreversible decline in printing of newspapers, magazines, and other publications, combined with the rapid growth of smart phones and tablets replacing previously printed material” for its decision.

Flint will now enter into a 45-day consultation period over the proposed closure and redundancies.

David Wood, Dundee operations manager, said: “We’re extremely disappointed to have to make this announcement today, especially since our team in Dundee has worked so hard to improve our cost and delivery performance.”

He added: “The structural changes in the marketplace are clearly irreversible and demand for our products is falling fast as digital innovations continue to drive people away from print media.

“When these market trends are combined with a site financial operating loss in 2015 of over £1 million, regretfully it is clear that we must address this excess capacity.”

Tony Lord, vice president and general manager of Flint Group’s Print Media Europe division said; “Communication and consultation with our employees and their representatives will now be a key priority during this difficult time.

“A further announcement will be made at the end of the consultation period.

“We want to reassure our customers that despite the current consultation period about to start in Dundee, our supply chain will continue to run as normal and there will be no negative impact on existing or new orders.

“We remain totally committed to delivering first-class products within our standard European lead times.”