SCAPA Group today announced another of its East Lancashire businesses was up for sale

The firm, which is in the process of selling Scapa Scandia in Blackburn and Scapa Forming at Stubbins, has now said it is looking to sell its speciality materials division which includes Scapa Filtration (Europe) based at Haslingden.

The sale would mean that Scapa Group, once one of East Lancashire's largest employers, had sold off all its local factories in the space of three years.

The firm, which has its group headquarters in Blackburn, today announced that profits for the year to March 31 fell from £60.8 million to £50.1 million. Turnover fell by 3.9 per cent to £512.7 million.

The group said it was now focusing entirely on its technical tapes division which produces specialist adhesive tapes used in industry. It said its speciality materials division did not fit in with the technical tapes side of the business.

"From a strategic point there is no purpose in retaining the businesses," said chairman Harry Tuley.

Scapa Filtration (Europe) produces industrial textile belting and employs more than 100 people.

Earlier this month the Office of Fair Trading said it was looking into the proposed sale of Scapa Scandia and Scapa Forming to German firm Voith in a £329 million deal.

If the deal goes ahead, shareholders will receive a special 50p dividend per share.

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