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.”