LIFE has been unkind to British Polythene Industries (BPI) in recent years and struggle as it may, circumstances have led to its

continual retreat.

The two pincers are inevitably the strength of the pound, especially against the sickly euro which has depreciated against almost all other currencies across the globe, and the increase in oil prices.

Cameron McLatchie founded the company in 1975, having gained substantial experience at Greenock polythene producer Thomas Boag.

He has created an organisation which in 1998-99 achieved a turnover of more than #470m, employing over 5000 people world-wide, although profits peaked two years earlier at #28m.

McLatchie was one of the great consolidators in the industry, buying in the polythene activities of Rexam, Sidlaw and Low & Bonar, as well as acquiring rival Alida.

But more recently, he has been forced to rationalise production extensively through closures and plant disposals, sometimes to management buy-outs.

However, he may not have moved quickly enough.