One hundred and fifty jobs at risk at Cumbrian Bible firm
Last updated at 12:07, Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Carlisle suffered a fresh jobs blow today with news that 150 posts are at risk at the Christian book operation STL Distribution.
They are the biggest group among 490 jobs under threat across the country as Bible charity IBS-STL UK looks to sell its British operations – STL Distribution, book and music publisher Authentic Media; and Wesley Owen Books and Music, a retailer with 40 shops.
In Carlisle, jobs in warehousing, accounts and finance, IT, customer service and a call centre are at risk but the man who brought operations to the city 20 years ago says he is ‘very hopeful’ a buyer can be found.
The news comes just days after it was revealed that 50 jobs are going at Carlisle’s Rural Payments Agency base at Eden Bridge House.
Carlisle-based Keith Danby, former STL chief executive who is the global president of Biblica, IBS-STL UK’s parent organisation, relocated the charity from Bromley in 1989.
He said: “We’re very hopeful that we will be able to sell these as a going concern. My number one priority is to protect jobs. The workers are hardworking and loyal.
“The principal reason for this is the failed implementation of a new computer system. We’ve been trying to recover all year since then. It was a massive investment.
“Obviously we are focused on finding anyone who can give added investment and can continue the mission of getting Bibles and Christian books around the country and safeguard the jobs here in Carlisle.”
IBS-STL UK has suffered a series of financial set-backs. The effects of the failed implementation of a new computer system were exacerbated by the economic downturn.
The charity was hit by cash flow problems, excess stock and support chain and service difficulties in its distribution and retail areas.
Mr Danby now heads an emergency task force set up to find new buyers for the businesses. In a statement, Mr Danby said the board of trustees and management team believe a “sale or exit from all or parts” of the operation were “prudent and necessary”.
Staff were told the news in a mass meeting at the Kingstown centre on Friday morning. Weekly meetings will now be held with the workforce to keep employees informed of the situation.
IBS-STL UK has appointed Baker Tilly Corporate Finance LLP to try and find suitable buyers.
A statement said Baker Tilly was hopeful that negotiations for the sales or potential closures of British operations could be completed within the next few weeks.
IBS-STL UK, formerly known as Send The Light, was founded in 1962 and is now one of the top 100 charities in the UK. STL merged with the International Bible Society (IBS) in 2007.
Global parent organisation Biblica said the planned sale of the UK operations would not impact on its other operations.
First published at 11:38, Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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i am studying at chester university to be an anglican reader i usually getmy books from wesley owen in chester but the last 2 visits i have made i arrived at the shop at 4.45 to find it already locked and the staff in the back room the most recent time being this tuesday, i waited for them to come out to ask the shops hours and was told they close at 5 but got no answer to my question about why they were leaving before that time. If things are looking bad for the firm then i would have though they could do with selling more not driving people elsewhere
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Goliaths eventually do fall. Let's hope that there are Davids around to carry on
Posted by John Roberts on 1 December 2009 at 11:26