10 January 2008 -- Polestar has today announced its intention to stop printing at Polestar Greaves in Scarborough. A period of consultation will commence with local union representatives and officials.
In making this proposal, Polestar aims to consolidate its gravure printing facilities in two rather than three factories in the UK, and the production of titles currently printed at Greaves will transfer to Polestar Sheffield and Polestar Varnicoat, located at Pershore.
Commenting on this plan, Barry Hibbert said: "Polestar will effectively take three older presses out of production and maximise the efficiency of its greenfield facility in Sheffield and its firepower at Varnicoat. This action also recognises that there is too much print capacity in Europe and Polestar has been prepared to take a lead on this. For the sake of the market I hope other printers will do the same."
Polestar Greaves currently employs a total of 380 employees. The proposal will mean a reduction of 50 per cent, the remaining employees being employed within the Finishing Department which will continue to operate in order to meet customer requirements.
Polestar Greaves produces magazines and newspaper supplements including Hello!, Woman's Weekly for IPC Media, Stella for The Telegraph, Take 5 and S Magazine for Express Newspapers and Life for The Independent.