Stories

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 'Shock' for paper firm staff amid closure proposal

Paper and packaging firm DS Smith says it is consulting with staff.

* DS Smith has confirmed a proposal to close its factory on Link Road in Launceston, Cornwall
* The closure follows a review of UK packaging operations amid "tough trading conditions"
* Staff have expressed shock and disappointment at the news, with some worried about losing their jobs and the future of the site
* Local politicians have criticized the government's approach to business, saying that companies like DS Smith are being "hammered" by rising costs and lack of investment in the region
* The factory has been a major employer in Launceston for nearly 60 years and was first opened as Tillotson's in 1968
* A consultation process with employees is ongoing, but DS Smith will not comment further until it is complete
* This is not the first time DS Smith has announced closures in recent years, with several sites closed across the UK in 2024 and 2025.