A TOTAL of six jobs are likely to be lost as a result of an alliance which it is hoped will secure future employment for the remaining staff at two Ipswich-based print firms.

From January, print production and finishing work previously carried out by Greenshoots Print, based in Bluestem Road on the Ransomes Europark estate, will transfer to the Five Castles Press in Raeburn Road.

Five Castles managing director Robert Burnett confirmed last week that consultation with staff over possible job losses had begun, but said it was too early to comment further.

It is now understood that, as a result of redeployment, the number of job losses has been limited to six and that two of the people affected are hopeful that they have secured alternative jobs.

In a joint statement, the companies said: “The Five Castles Press and Greenshoots Print have formed a strategic alliance.

“From January 1, Greenshoots print production and finishing will transfer to the Five Castles Press Raeburn Road, Ipswich, premises.

“This has been made possible thanks to excess production capacity brought about by a long-term programme of investment by the Five Castle Press.

“It also means that Greenshoots customers will have the benefit of the very latest Heidelberg presses and state of the art pre-press and finishing equipment.

“Five Castles’ Robert Burnett and Greenshoots’ [managing director] Mark Brown both believe that this alliance is in the best interests of both brands and that it will have a long term positive effect on safeguarding jobs,” the statement added.