Up to 300 jobs are to be slashed after Hallmark UK announced it will outsource its greeting card production in Bradford by the end of 2014.
Hallmark said it would outsource greeting card manufacturing to suppliers elsewhere in the UK and the Far East.
The company will transfer the production the production of gift wrap to Hallmark US, with all changes expected to be complete by the end of 2014.
Unite Union regional officer Chris Daily said the mave was a “truly devastating blow” for both the Hallmark workers and the wider Bradford community.
“The 300 jobs that will be lost because of Hallmark’s decision to outsource manufacturing will leave a huge hole in terms of employment and the loss of incomes of those affected,” he said.
“It is enormously disappointing that yet another company has turned its back on UK manufacturing and UK workers. Unite will be meeting with the management later today to discuss the situation. We will do our best to ameliorate the impact of these cuts.”
The company has said that Bradford will remain the home of Hallmark’s international division, with the design and headquarter functions staying at Bingley Road, Heaton. The distribution centre will remain at Dawson Lane and Hallmark will still use Bradford-based manufacturing suppliers.
