The managing director at Polestar Purnell, Darren Walker, said that there were no plans to close the plant, which Hibbert is set to visit next Thursday (19 February) for talks with its management and workforce.

Six administrative staff at the 600-employee plant have been made redundant and an unspecified number of job cuts are to follow.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: It is incurring losses so has to look at price structures and the cost base. The company is consulting with the GPMU.

GPMU deputy general secretary Tony Burke said that the national union had met with Purnell representatives and that discussions were ongoing.

Its not earmarked for closure, but is experiencing difficulties. We are obviously interested in seeing those resolved, said Burke.

Purnell is believed to be the most vulnerable of Polestars existing plants should the new gravure greenfield project result in consolidation.

Purnell was also the site of the GPMUs first recognition agreement for white-collar workers (PrintWeek, 15 January).

Story by John Davies