US printing firm Innovative Output Solutions has kicked off a group-wide strategic review on the back of its recent purchase of Lateral Group, the data, software and print business it bought this summer.
The review is designed to create “centres of excellence” across the group’s various production processes, but will result in some of the print plants being shut down.
It is not known how the shake-up will affect the group’s other operations, although it is understood the data side of the business could well benefit.
Andy Young, chief operating officer at IOS, said: “Since we made the acquisition we’ve been looking at all our options and what we want to establish going forward are centres of excellence across the business. Unfortunately there will inevitably be some rationalisation as a result of the acquisition and that will have an impact on some of the staff in certain geographical locations.”
Young confirmed that the group was due to begin consultation at IOS’s Dagenham print facility this week.
He added: “Currently there are only staff at Dagenham under consultation; however, we have written to all staff to say that we are going into a period of restructure and that people may be affected on a go-forward basis throughout the business and we will consult properly with them as the need arises.
“We’ve notified the staff and started to talk about what the future might hold but we haven’t finalised the detail yet – that will be done by management and staff as we work through the consultation process.”
Formed in 2008, following the acquisition of existing businesses, Lateral comprises four companies, Data Lateral, Shift Click, Dialogue Solutions and Howitt.
At the time of the deal, Lateral Group principal founder Nick Dixon (pictured) said: “We have found a great home for the business, and I am absolutely confident that it will go from strength to strength. We look forward to taking advantage of new technologies and resources through this transaction and achieving further scale as a marketing services provider.”
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