The three affected branches are Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham. As part of the restructure, PaperlinX would create a Midlands ‘branch’ at its Moulton Park head office in Northampton.

Affected staff were informed last Friday.

A collective consultation across the three sites will begin this week with a total of around 80 roles expected to be cut across them and also the Delivery Co logistics arm. An undisclosed number of staff will be offered roles at Moulton Park.

According to the company, the restructure of its Midlands operations will have no impact on customers and it will "further improve efficiencies and facilitate a high level of customer service".

Meanwhile, Buxton’s enlarged role means he will take on responsibility for Narrow Format Reels, Graphic & Carton board, Graphical Consumables, WebCo, Precision Publishing, Resellers and Brightstream. This will be in addition to heading up Paperlinx’s UK commercial print operation, which includes the three merchanting brands recently united under the parent brand: Robert Horne, Howard Smith and Paper Co.

Buxton will be supported by the operations' existing management teams, headed up by David Darwood (Precision Publishing), Steve Webb (narrow format reels and graphic and cartonboard), Robin Watkinson (WebCo) and Mandy Gallego (commercial print sales and operations). Buxton will report to Paperlinx UK managing director Phil Carr.

"This new structure forms a key part of our mission to ensure a customer-centric business model," said Buxton.