15 December 2015
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Printing firm De La Rue have announced plans to move their postage stamp printing operation from Gateshead to Malta
Printing firm De La Rue have announced plans to move their postage stamp printing operation from Gateshead to Malta, while banknotes will now be produced at the location in the North East.
The move will see the current identity, security and postage stamp operation move from Gateshead to Malta, while the UK branch will take on more banknote contracts. According to The Northern Echo newspaper, the move will create around ten UK jobs, while about 300 jobs will be lost in Malta.
Writing on his popular GB stamps blog, dealer Ian Billings, asked: ‘So what are the implications for Royal Mail, and hence for us as collectors and dealers? When DLR moved stamp production from the south of England to Gateshead in 2013, they were unable to produce the new tariff stamps (78p, 88p, £1.88) to meet Royal Mail’s timescale, and interim printings were produced by Walsall – and they had different security codes… So we shall have to be vigilant this spring when rates will increase again.’
Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of De La Rue, said: ‘As the leading commercial designer and printer of banknotes and passports, our manufacturing footprint review has identified significant opportunities for improvements in capability and efficiency. Today we are announcing plans to achieve a more streamlined De La Rue, in line with the future needs of our global customers, focused on centres for excellence with investment that underpins our future.’
