‘Bright future’

There could be ‘a bright future’ for creative paper innovators Arjowiggins, which went into administration today (January 15), Unite has said.

Unite has about 600 members at Arjowiggins which operates mills at Stoneywood in Aberdeen, Chartham  in Kent and Clacton, Essex. There is also a head office at Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Unite said that it believed that the administration was triggered by problems experienced by French-owned parent company Sequana, which had been involved in a costly legal dispute with British American Tobacco.

Unite national officer for the paper industry Louisa Bull said,“Arjowiggins is a vibrant and innovative creative paper company, and we can see a bright future as it is an attractive proposition for a potential buyer.

“Unite is committed to working with the administrators and the employers’ body, the Confederation of Paper Industries to find a new owner,” she added.

“We have had a good relationship with the company over many years and this is a good basis for exploring options for a new purchaser.

“The administrators being called in should be seen in the context of  the parent company’s Sequana past legal problems,” she added. “It is not related to Brexit uncertainty.

“However, we appreciate that this is a very difficult time for our members and their families, and Unite will be giving them maximum support in the days and weeks ahead.”
Tommy Campbell, Unite industrial officer for the Aberdeen mill added, “This is an anxious time for staff at the plant, and for the local economy of the north east of Scotland.

“Stoneywood has been a very successful business for almost 250 years, and these workers and their families deserve a future after contributing the most into making this site a profitable and continuous success for generations.”
 

Pic: Sebastian Ballard