On September 28, 2024, the Normandy-based Hamelin Group, European leader in school and business diaries, announced the gradual closure of its Lecas subsidiary. This historic factory, which has been manufacturing diaries for over 50 years, will cease operations by the end of the year. Production will be relocated to Turkey and Romania, two countries where labor costs are significantly lower than in France. Hamelin, which has several sites in Europe, justifies this decision by the need to optimize its costs and strengthen its margins. However, Lecas employees denounce a strategy guided solely by financial considerations, at the expense of local jobs and the Charente economy. Le site
To protest against the closure, Lecas employees organized an action in Angoulême town center, calling on consumers to boycott Oxford brand products. "By buying these diaries, you are supporting the loss of our jobs", they declared. Negotiations on the job-saving plan (PSE) are taking place in a tense climate. Employees accuse management of imposing unsustainable financial conditions on its subsidiary, precipitating its closure.
Against this backdrop, the group is actively seeking a buyer for its site. The site offers major advantages for a takeover, particularly for a printer. According to the advertisement, the site is located 15 minutes from Angoulême city center and covers almost 48,000 m², including : 15,000 m² of modular workshop space, adapted to Industry 4.0 standards, with a 2,700 m² extension capacity, 1,000 m² of office space, to accommodate the cross-functional functions required to run a production unit, 130 parking spaces, suitable for production teams and visitors. The site houses a complete production line, including offset presses, die-cutting, converting and finishing equipment, as well as flexographic and rotogravure machines. These facilities enable us to cover the entire production cycle, independently and efficiently.
Acquired by Hamelin in 1982, Oxford is an iconic brand in the European school and office supplies sector. Known for its quality products, including school diaries and notebooks with Optik Paper technology, the brand enjoys a solid reputation. However, this massive relocation tarnishes the company's image, as it faces criticism for its lack of social responsibility.
