Mortsel / Belgium, June 11, 2020 - 8.45 a.m. CET
Agfa today announced its intention to close its printing plate factories in Pont-à-Marcq (France) and Leeds (United Kingdom).
Faced with a significant and structural decline in demand in the extremely competitive offset printing market, Agfa has to optimize its printing plate manufacturing capacity by adjusting it to the changing market conditions. The decline in demand is characterized by a strong drop in printing plate volumes and substantial price erosion. Both plants produce Agfa's Thermofuse printing plates. The market demand for this product declines even more substantially than for most other Agfa printing plates. Unfortunately the market forecasts do not suggest any improvement in the years to come.
In order to be able to continue its printing plate activities in a sustainable way, Agfa needs to reorganize its global production facilities in the most efficient and competitive way.
After having considered all options, Agfa has now informed the employee representatives and employees of both factories as well as the related authorities that it intends to close down the two factories. Unfortunately, this decision would impact 175 employee positions in Pont-à-Marcq (France) and 76 employee positions in Leeds (UK) respectively.
Closing two plants in different countries is a tough decision, but taking this step is absolutely necessary to maintain Agfa's presence in the offset market.
Agfa management is well aware that such announcement brings a lot of emotions and will do its utmost to mitigate the impact on the employees affected by this intended restructuring.
The closure would be implemented at the end of the prevailing information & consultation procedures in both countries.
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About Agfa-Gevaert
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is a leading company in imaging technology and IT solutions with over 150 years of experience. The Group holds four divisions: Radiology Solutions, HealthCare IT, Digital Print & Chemicals and Offset Solutions. They develop, manufacture and market analogue and digital systems for the healthcare sector, for specific industrial applications and for the printing industry.
The Agfa-Gevaert Group's headquarters and parent company are located in Mortsel, Belgium. The Group's largest production and research centers are located in Belgium, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, China and Brazil. The Group is commercially active worldwide through wholly owned sales organizations in more than 40 countries. In countries where it does not have its own sales organization, the market is served by a network of agents and representatives. In 2019, the Group realized a turnover of 2,239 million Euro.
Contact
Viviane Dictus
Director Corporate Communication
T +32 3 444 7124
E viviane.dictus@agfa.com
