'Exceedingly difficult decision'

Baldwin to shutter UK operation

Baldwin's UK-based business had posted losses

Baldwin Technology is closing its UK facility in Slough.

The US-headquartered business makes and supplies specialist equipment for printing, packaging, textiles and other industries including UV and UV-LED systems, surface cleaning and inspection systems.

It is part of the BW Converting group of companies which includes Paper Converting Machine Company, Winkler + Dünnebier, Hudson-Sharp, Stax Technologies, and Northern Engraving and Machine.

BW Converting in turn is part of the $3bn-plus (£2.5bn) turnover Barry-Wehmiller family of companies.

The most recent accounts for Baldwin Technology Ltd, for the year to 30 September 2023, show sales up 2.5% to £15.4m.

However, the firm made an operating loss of £627,669 (prior year loss: £795,984) and had negative cashflow of nearly £2.5m.

Most of Baldwin Technology Ltd’s sales – more than £11.6m – were to Europe and the rest of the world, with £3.7m of turnover coming from the UK.

In a statement, BW Converting said it was consolidating some of its operational centres in Europe “to enhance quality, response time and customer reach”.

Baldwin Technology segment president Patrick Keller said: “It was an exceedingly difficult decision to close this facility because of what it means to those team members in our span of care.

“Anytime something like this happens—as it is very rare within our organization—it comes after we have the given utmost consideration to all options,” he stated.

“We truly take the loss of these dedicated hard-working people to heart and are trying to find alternate roles for as many as possible somewhere else in our organization. For those who cannot make that choice, we’ve committed to support them in finding other employment.

“Again, our decision is one that is very difficult. But, to never let anyone go under any circumstances would be shirking our responsibility to provide as many people as possible in our organization with a viable future and a sustainable business.”

The firm had employed 95 when the accounts were signed off.

At the time of writing it wasn’t clear how many roles would be made redundant, or how many could potentially be redeployed elsewhere in the group. Printweek understands the Slough site will close at the end of this month.

Keller said the business was working to make this transition as seamless as possible for its customer base and was “committed to Change for the Better!”.