Nov 18, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. French paper and packaging company Groupe Gascogne has drawn up a plan to reorganize the paper and laminate divisions with a view to speeding up their return to profitable growth, the group announced. A plan to restructure and reorganize the group's paper division is currently being studied. The plan includes further 40 job cuts through retirement and transfer to other positions within the group. A turnaround and restructuring plan for the group's entire laminate division, including operations in and outside France, is currently being discussed. The plan is intended to focus on the most profitable businesses with a genuine expansion potential. The principal measures would entail the closure of the smallest production sites, one in France and another in the Netherlands, and the optimization of existing manufacturing facilities. In France, the shutdown would lead to 33 job cuts, but 28 jobs are also envisaged to be created through the transfer of the most profitable activities to the Dax and Givet plants. The division's various companies outside France would be affected by 75 job cuts. The company justified its decision with the unfavourable economic conditions currently prevailing and the sub-par competitiveness of some of its business activities. The two restructuring plans and their impact on the workforce are currently being submitted for consideration to the labour representatives of the divisions affected by the plans.