Bousfield is creating three major customer service centres and closing three branches in a move that it claims will "enhance product quality and service for customers".


The move comes as the inks, pressroom chemicals and pre-press supplier revealed a "significant downturn" in sales for the year to 31 March.


It has also been hit by the resignation of finance director Lynn Williams. His replacement will be named in the next few days.


The three "super centres" will be located at its Leeds and Swanley offices and Bristol headquarters. However, it will close its Hull, Manchester and Leicester branches.


Sales staff will not be affected, but there will be a net loss of around 19 jobs from other departments.


The firm is also revamping its distribution network to use third-party logistics companies.


Head of marketing Richard Edwards said this would allow 95% of customers to receive deliveries twice a day and take advantage of later ordering deadlines.


He said Bousfield would also stock more products and increase ink manufacturing capacity.


The restructure was nothing to do with parent group Amberleys results, he said. "Weve been looking at this project for some time."


Amberley blamed Bousfields sales slump on "customers moving production offshore and the accompanying pressure on prices".


Amberley chairman Roger Fletcher said the review of the groups strategy and subsidiaries had been "substantially completed" and that it had entered into negotiations with "interested parties".


Story by Gordon Carson