Staff at DLH UK have been left reeling by the decision to close the Kent office and transfer its activities to mainland Europe.
A letter sent by DLH UK managing director Steve Sullivan to customers says the group, like other traders in exotic hardwoods, felt the impact of the economic crisis.
“It has therefore been decided to embark on a new strategy whereby DLH will concentrate trading and supply from fewer, but much stronger hubs.
“The result of this strategy for our UK activities is that our office in Westerham will be closed down.”
He said the activities will be transferred to DLH’s trading department in Denmark for back-to-back offers, as well as to Antwerp with offers from established European stocks.
“It is our desire to make the change as painless as possible for our UK customers, and we shall strive to offer the same service from our European units.”
Mr Sullivan said the new sales arrangements will be discussed with customers in January, though the UK office would remain open “for a period into 2011” to fulfil outstanding contracts. TTJ understands that the office could remain open until next June.
Eleven staff work at the Westerham sales office. DLH UK also operates two warehouses in the company.
DLH is also shutting its Germany-based operations. The group expects to save DKr30-40m annually from 2012 through the closures.
