Madison 2000 and Fine Colour Packaging in Nottingham are merging following an announcement made to the workforce last week.


"The employees at Madison were told of the decision on Friday in a lunchtime meeting held by works director Graham Kirk," said Central Midlands GPMU deputy branch secretary Ted Scott.


"The announcement came as a complete shock to the workforce, who were told that the two operations were to be merged with immediate effect."


Scott said the union would be looking into whether there had been a deliberate attempt to merge the two companies without proper consultation taking place with the GPMU.


A letter to Madison 2000 employees said: "Traveltrip, trading as Madison 2000, is in such a trading position that a merger will enhance the future of the company.


"We have sought a potential merger partner in order to try and ensure the on-going running of the business and secure your future employment."


Madison 2000 emerged out of the remnants of Madison Packaging, which was sent into administrative receivership last summer (PrintWeek, 30 June 2000).


Madison employs around 30 staff, while Fine Colour has about 70.


The combined business will now operate out of Fine Colours Perry Road site in Nottingham, which is about 15 miles from Madisons current site at Sutton-in-Ashfield.


Neither Madison 2000 nor Fine Colour Packaging were available for comment as PrintWeek went to press.


Story by Andy Scott