A total of six staff in finance, technology and support roles are in a consultation process at present. According to Winnets group managing director Nigel Parsons, the move is part of a restructure with the balance shifting to "front line, customer-facing staff".

"The fact is that the business evolves and has to move on," said Parsons. "The six jobs account for less than 2% of the workforce."

He added that the re-brand was to avoid confusion in the market. Leeds-based Weir Holdings bought the Winnets group in 1998 and has sites in Salford, Bristol and Antwerp.

"More than two-thirds of our customers consider us to be Winnets above any other title," said Parsons.

"People have been expecting the name change and we now have a brand we can get behind."

The move follows the loss of 11 staff to rival Leeds- based pre-press firm Vermillion Graphics in the spring. They included Vermillion managing director Dave Watkin. Parsons said that the 11 departures have made "little impact" on Winnets.

Vermillion has financial involvement from former Weir Holdings managing director Bill Weir, dubbed by Watkin as the "Howard Hughes of print".

He stepped down from Weir Holdings in 2002 (PrintWeek, 3 May) but retains a stake in Winnets through a trust holding.

Parsons also denied industry rumours that Winnets was about to be sold. Speculation was rife that it was to merge with InTouch Group and the two be bought out by Southern Graphics.

Weir history

1992 Weir Technology founded and headed up by Bill Weir. Later changes its name to Weir Holdings

1998 Winnets is bought by Weir Holdings

2002 Nigel Parsons replaces Bill Weir as group managing director

2004 Weir Holdings renamed Winnets

Story by Philip Chadwick