Agfa is reorganising its European plate operations in a move that is likely to result in a massive reduction of staff at the ex-DuPont Howson site in Leeds.

Out of 550 positions at the plate factory up to 400 may be lost as Agfa switches all analogue plate production to its plant in Wiesbaden Germany, leaving just Lithostar substrate being made at Leeds as it reorganises plate manufacturing across Europe.

As we announced at Drupa we are rationalising our ex-Howson and Ozasol analogue plates, said Agfa UK director graphic systems Laurence Roberts. Its unfortunate for the people at Howson."

He added: It has a future, making the Lithostar substrate. The 400 figure is not definitive and will be phased.

The firm informed the unions at Leeds today (Wednesday, 7 November) and has begun a 90-day consultation period. All the changes will be in place by the end of next year under Agfas previously announced efficiency plan Horizon (PrintWeek, 5 October).

Weve seen a much more rapid decline in analogue sales than anticipated, said Agfa UK corporate communications manager Philip Miller. In Europe it has declined 15% this year.

Also under threat in the UK is the firms chemical factory in Margate. Its production will be moved to Mortsel next year.

The firm has also announced that it is opening a plate line in Wuxi China to meet demand in the Far East, which is expected to be operational by mid 2003.


Background:
Agfa announced it was buying DuPont's film and plate business in the summer of 1997, and the deal became effective at the beginning of 1998. Later that year a quarter of the Leeds workforce was laid off.