BPI is closing a manufacturing site and three distribution depots with the loss of 75 jobs as part of its restructuring programme.


The news comes as the group continues to fight Macfarlane's takeover bid.


The closures will bring BPI's total annual savings
to 9.45m, said chairman Cameron McLatchie.


Bpi.packaging services hopes to save 1.55m a year by closing three distribution depots in Newcastle, Birmingham and Notting-ham and the PC Polythene manufacturing site in Workington.


McLatchie condemned Macfarlane's "sheer incompetence" for failing to provide a loan note alternative, which made its offer "even more unpalatable".


"Now it is running scared of private shareholders' justified anger and resorting to statements that are, at best, ill-considered," he added.


Macfarlane chief executive Iain Duffin referred to the closures as "small beer," and the "sign of a desperate man."