04/12/03 - Task Force aids textile company

A High Level Task Force set up by Cumbria County Council is working with textile firm Stead McAlpin to minimise the impact of difficult trading conditions. Stead McAlpin, based at Cummersdale, Carlisle, is planning a restructuring which could lead to the loss of 78 jobs. 

The task force, led by County Councillor Lawson Short, Cabinet member with responsibility for economic development and regeneration, included representatives of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria Inward Investment Agency as well as Cumbria County Council. It met Stead McAlpin managing director Chris Rogers and members of his senior management team.  They were given a full and frank presentation outlining the current market conditions that have force the company to restructure.  The presentation also described the steps the management are taking to help the business meet the expected future trading conditions and which they believe to be the best way of ensuring the survival and long-term growth of the Cummersdale operation.

Councillor Short, chairman of the Task Force, said:

“The frankness of the presentation we received was impressive.  It is essential that our long-established companies develop business strategies to meet modern market conditions.  The loss of jobs is regrettable and we must ensure that the people affected have access to the support that is available. We were left in no doubt that the actions being taken are necessary if the company is to maintain its presence in Cummersdale in the long term. We are exploring ways in which we may be able to offer help.”

The Task Force discussed a number of areas where there may be ways to assist the company implement its business strategy.  The Cumbria Inward Investment Agency will work with the company to ensure that opportunities for support are fully explored and officers for the city and county councils together with the Cumbria Inward Investment Agency will now liaise with the company in its efforts to grow the business.

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew, who was represented at the meeting by Mrs Elsie Martlew, said:

 “Our first concern is to ensure that support is provided to the people losing their jobs.  We need to work together to ensure that the support agencies do whatever they can to help them find new jobs and retrain where opportunities exist.”     

Councillor Marilyn Bowman, Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity at Carlisle City Council, said: 

“Stead McAlpin is one of Carlisle’s oldest and most respected companies.  It is clearly going through a rough patch that has resulted in the job losses recently announced.  The council will work with the company and other agencies to help mitigate the effects of the redundancies and help Stead’s plan for the future.  It was encouraging to hear the positive steps the company are taking to diversify and expand the business.  I have every confidence that they will succeed.”

Chris Rogers, managing director or Stead McAlpin, said:

“The restructure programme is aimed at the long-term future and success of Stead McAlpin. 

Regrettably, it is unavoidable that a number of employees will be displaced from the business. However, by working closely with the Task Force and local agencies, we are confident that suitable alternative employment will be found within Cumbria.”

A member of the John Lewis Partnership, Stead McAlpin specialises in vat printing, dyeing and finishing of high quality furnishing fabrics at the Cummersdale Print Works. The operation at Cummersdale is entirely self-contained, with full facilities for bleaching, sampling, dyeing, printing, finishing and warehousing.

Stead McAlpin has been experiencing a protracted period of difficult trade for the textile printing business. Staff have been told that full support will be given them to move to other posts within the partnership where possible. A final decision will be made after consultation with the staff directly affected. Any redundancies would be effective from January.