A PACKAGING firm has announced its Wrexham offices will close.
Tetra Pak told employees today of plans to move to a new location, ideally in the Chester area, before the end of the year.
Bosses also intend to outsource distribution to an external supplier.
No redundancies have been announced, but the company will consult with affected employees, a statement said.
The firm closed its carton manufacturing plant on Wrexham Industrial Estate in 2011, laying off 150 people.
About 115 employees were retained in the firm’s UK and Ireland commercial operations centre.
A statement issued today said the current site had office buildings covering “three times as much space” as was needed.
“The company anticipates that modern and bespoke offices would carry less than half the costs of its current site,” it said.
The company was looking for a thrid-party specialist to take over it’s distribution centre, it said.
“The company is currently evaluating bids from potential suppliers and will consult with affected employees once it has identified a preferred supplier,” it said, which should be by the end of April.
“Subject to consultation, the company would then aim to move its distribution service by no later than the end of September 2013. It will discuss all the issues involved in this move with affected employees during the consultation process.”
Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Steve Wyatt, said:
“We are operating in a rapidly changing business environment, where competition is increasing.
“We need to ensure we compete more effectively, whilst continuing to deliver high-quality customer service.
“We need an office building more suited to our needs and are actively exploring sites in the local area.
“We hope to be able to confirm our new location soon.
“Our proposal to outsource the distribution centre is no reflection on the excellent work the employees who work there have done.
“We will give affected employees extensive information and support.”