48 may lose jobs in closure plan.

Byline: LOUISE DAVIES 

UP TO 48 employees could be affected by the proposed closure of a coated paper factory in Runcorn.

InteliCoat Technologies announced at a meeting of employees yesterday that the company proposes to close its site at Runcorn's Manor Parkin August and consolidate its operations at its main site in North Wales.

The firm's management is considering using existing capacity at its Wrexham factory to transfer the majority of the business in Runcorn and absorb some of the plant's 48 workers.

Alan Parker,managing director of Intelicoat Technologies Europe, said the consolidation of operations at the Wrexham plant is in response to market conditions that require more flexible, short- run capabilities and will create a more solid business platform.

He said: ``The decision to consider closing the Runcorn plant has been a sad one,especially in light of how hard everyone has worked over the years to build up the reputation of the plant.

``However the ever- changing business environment forces decisions such as this to be made to maintain a solid business.

There will of course be full consultation with everyone involved.''

Last year,around 65 jobs were axed at both sites after the firm lost two contracts and almost half its order book.

Intelicoat,formerly known as Rexam Image Products, is privately owned by American investment firm Sunlight Technologies which bought the company for pounds 42min 2002. At the time,it was pledged the sale had secured jobs at Wrexham and the Runcorn factory which was opened 13 years ago.