Mekvale relocates and expands to create UK's largest envelope overprint site

Envelope supplier and printer Mekvale has made 80% of its staff redundant as part of a move to relocate production from Surrey to the West Midlands and create the UK's largest envelope overprint site.

Mekvale's warehouse and print department will relocate to parent company Mayer Kuvert UK's existing site in Walsall, near Birmingham. The site will then house 16 machines, including three four-colour presses.

However, a consultation with the Croydon workforce has now been completed. Four of the company's 22 staff will move to new offices in Croydon, where a reprographics studio will also be part of the sales office service to customers.

Site director John Roberts said the remaining 18 staff had all been offered the opportunity to relocate to Walsall and keep their jobs, but they had decided not to.

"Everyone has been offered the opportunity to move to Walsall, but sadly no-one has taken up the offer."

"Most companies are looking at how they can save costs, and, as the lease to our current Croydon premise expires in July, we took the opportunity to relocate and expand the business. We will have more efficient manufacturing operations there."

In July, the £3m-turnover company, which specialises in direct mail, transactional and billing, and corporate stationery, plans to invest in a CTP system.

Independently-owned envelope manufacturing group Mayer-Kuvert has 43 factories across Europe.