UK Jobs Market Sheds Roles — But Just Paper Tubes is Hiring

Despite today’s sobering national jobs figures, Just Paper Tubes (JPT) is bucking the trend. While the UK sheds roles at the fastest rate since the pandemic, our Yorkshire-based business is growing — and hiring.

The Office for National Statistics revealed this morning that the UK economy lost 178,000 jobs in the three months to April, pushing the unemployment rate to 4.4%, its highest level since 2021. From retail to manufacturing, businesses are feeling the pinch. But at JPT, we’ve not only weathered the economic headwinds — we’ve expanded.

Almost 40 Years for Stable Secure Employment in Yorkshire!

In the last month alone, we’ve welcomed two new team members to our growing workforce. It’s a small but significant milestone that highlights our confidence in the future of British manufacturing — and the enduring demand for cardboard tubes, paper cores, label cores, and tape cores across a range of industries.

📦 Investing in People, Growing Through Innovation

At JPT, we believe that our strength lies not just in our machinery or materials, but in our people. Our continued investment in our workforce — from shopfloor production to customer service and logistics — ensures we remain the UK’s most responsive and reliable manufacturer of paper cores and cardboard tubes.

Each role we create supports our commitment to speed, quality, and flexibility. Whether producing custom label cores for high-speed printers, tape cores for industrial adhesive lines, or heavy-duty cardboard tubes for construction and engineering, our team brings precision and care to every order.

While many companies are trimming costs by reducing headcount, JPT is taking a long-term view. By investing now, we’re ensuring we remain ready to meet growing demand, support our customers, and stay ahead of the curve in a competitive market.

📉 National Job Losses, Local Job Gains

Today’s report from Bloomberg underscores how serious the national picture is. With wage growth still high at 6.1% year-on-year, many businesses are struggling to balance rising employment costs with falling consumer demand. It’s a tough balancing act, and in sectors like construction and retail — which rely heavily on logistics and packaging — job cuts have been widespread.

But even as many manufacturers scale back, our order book is growing. This isn’t blind optimism — it’s the result of deliberate strategy.

We’ve spent the last 12 months refining our systems, investing in technology, and broadening our customer base. That means more clients across more sectors, ordering more frequently — and needing their paper cores and cardboard tubes faster than ever.

🧵 Custom Cores, Built in Britain

Whether you’re a large-scale printer looking for bespoke label cores, or an adhesive manufacturer needing reliable tape cores, Just Paper Tubes has the capacity and expertise to deliver. We manufacture everything in-house in Selby, North Yorkshire, using recycled materials from onsite & grid based carbon neutral sources which helps drive our commitment to sustainable production practices.

With global supply chains under strain and import lead times lengthening, more customers are turning to UK-based manufacturers who can respond quickly and adapt fast. That’s where JPT excels — not just making high-quality products, but offering the speed and service that today’s industries demand.

📈 Looking Ahead with Confidence

While today’s job numbers might cast a shadow over the broader economic outlook, we remain positive. We’ve seen steady demand across our product ranges — from industrial paper cores to packaging tubes, poster tubes, carpet tubes, and beyond.

Our recruitment isn’t just about filling gaps — it’s about strengthening our core (literally and figuratively). The two new roles we’ve created this month mark a continuation of our strategy to grow steadily, sustainably, and securely.

We also know that our role extends beyond the factory floor. Each job we create contributes to the local economy. Each core we produce supports the supply chains of hundreds of other businesses. And each new hire adds fresh energy, ideas, and commitment to our team.

🔍 Searching for a UK Supplier You Can Rely On?

If you’re searching for paper cores, cardboard tubes, label cores, or tape cores — and want a supplier that’s investing in the future — talk to Just Paper Tubes.

We’re proud to be manufacturing in Britain, growing our team, and supporting industries across the UK and beyond. In uncertain times, we offer certainty. In a contracting job market, we’re creating opportunity.

Contact us today to learn more about our products, services, or to get a quote. Whether you need large-volume production or a custom solution, we’re here — with core strength.