97 jobs go as VIC print plant shuts down

The closure of the site will take effect from the 31st of March, with its workload to be shifted to PMP’s large print facility at Clayton in Victoria. PMP Print indicates that its capital restructuring plan will continue throughout 2005, with the relocation of its South Australian printing operations expected to lead to further job losses.

PMP print operations director Craig Amos said the shutdown is part of the company’s ongoing capital restructuring plan. “This decision is in no way a reflection on the 97 employees at the Koo Wee Rup site,” he says. “Their professionalism and contribution to PMP Print has been exceptional and we thank them for all their efforts.”

Amos confirms that additional job losses are expected when PMP relocates its South Australian site later in the year. “We have spoken to our workforce about potential job losses. How many exactly will be determined by the market, and by the success of our sales team.”

Steve Walsh from the AMWU is in discussion with PMP in regards to the closure. “We’re disappointed that a plant in country Victoria is closing. Developments like this are obviously not good for employment prospects in regional areas,” says Walsh.

Walsh believes the latest PMP closure to be a reflection of the problems faced by the graphic arts industry at large. “While we can understand the circumstances, it’s nonetheless another indication of the problems being faced by printers in Australia. Mainly, continual consolidation and the pressures created by technological developments, for both large and small companies.”