A VITAL employer which has been operating in Launceston for more than 50 years has confirmed it could be closing its doors.

Packaging and paper production company, DS Smith has today confirmed there have been proposals to close its Link Road site in Launceston.

DS Smith is one of the UK’s leaders in innovative corrugated packaging. The North Cornwall town has been fortunate enough to benefit from investment through the years from this big employer. Today, the site processes 28,000 tonnes of paper a year and provides employment for hundreds of local employees.

In 2019, the company celebrated 50 years of production within the town, however, the organisation says that this history could soon come to an end.

The organisation says that the potential closure comes as part of efforts to improve the efficiency of its business and ensure that customer needs are met ‘in what are tough trading conditions for the industry’.

A spokesperson for DS Smith told the Post: “DS Smith – an International Paper company – is committed to providing best-in-class quality and service to our customers. To improve efficiencies across our business and to ensure we respond to the evolving needs of our customers in what are tough trading conditions for the industry, we have undertaken a review of our UK Packaging operations.”

DS Smith has confirmed that a proposal has been made to close the site and that a consultation process with employees is ongoing.

The spokesperson continued: “As a result of this review, we can confirm a proposal has been made to close a site within our network. A consultation process with employees is ongoing, during which DS Smith (and International Paper) will not comment further.”

Commenting on the news, local councillor Adrian Parsons (Altarnun and Stoke Climsland) said: “I cannot express how sad I am to see it reported that a consultation is taking place to close the DS Smith factory in Launceston. Given its prominent location, it has been something of an iconic business in the town for more than 50 years.

“As a young lad growing up locally, travelling past the site daily on the school bus, we saw it develop and evolve, from the early days of Tillotsons, to St Regis, and then to DS Smith, eventually, I understand, being taken over by an American company. For so many people in Launceston, it has offered opportunity and provided work for local families.

Many will have left college and spent the entirety of their working lives there. Over the years, I would often cross paths with those who worked there either on a Saturday back when we played football or latterly down at the rugby club or out socially in town.

“The potential loss to our town cannot be underestimated and the impact would be widely felt. I sincerely hope meaningful discussions can be held with the owners to find a responsible way forward for all the staff. It is those employees who have made the site the success it is today, and they deserve better.”