The president of Gannett's U.S. newspaper division, Bob Dickey, says eight more newspapers have been identified for possible press closings, according to remarks he made last month to a group of Wall Street media stock analysts. He did not identify those newspapers, however.
I don't believe Dickey's estimate has been given much attention before now. In his prepared statement to the UBS media stock conference, Dickey notes that 53% of Gannett's newspapers "are now outsourced and printed by commercial printers or other Gannett and non-Gannett newspapers." Then he adds: "Another eight have been identified as outsourcing opportunities."
These press closings save a lot of money, while costing lots of jobs, too: dozens in most cases. The most recent closing I saw, at The Journal News in Westchester, N.Y., resulted in the elimination of 166 positions. If the average were 40 to 50 positions per paper, closing eight would cut 320 to 400 jobs in the months ahead.
Earlier: Through May 2009, the 12 press closings to date
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[Image: today's St. Cloud Times in Minnesota, one of at least 12 papers to shutter their presses last year, Newseum]
Thursday, January 07, 2010
16 comments:
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Fort Myers is on the list
ReplyDelete2:20 p.m.: Where would Fort Myers shift printing to?
ReplyDeleteNaples brand new facility shorter cut off big savings
ReplyDelete2:50 p.m.: Do you mean "facility SORTER"? Can you explain more about what you mean by "cut off?"
ReplyDeletethe press delivers a paper 10" tall 11" wide
ReplyDeleteFt myers press is 11 3/8" tall and 11" wide major newsprint savings, no future capital investment and no employees and it's 20 minutes away
Shreveport, LA is installing a new (rebuilt) press. I predict Monroe will be printed there after the Shreveport machine is up and running.
ReplyDeleteWalter Abbott
Lincoln Parish News Online
I think Hattiesburg was moved to Jackson. But they left USA TODAY there for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI understand NJ Newspaper Group, which currently prints at the Asbury Park Press facility in Freehold, can print at either of two outside vendors, both of which are located in NJ. The state is geographically so small that it really wouldn't matter which one gets the bid.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? You're a seasoned journalist being critical of the newspaper business and you don't even understand the concept of cut off? Where is you credibility? It is how long the paper is, dummy. Some presses can't reduce the size of the paper be reducing the length as well as width - web width before you ask!
ReplyDelete8:15 pm: Thank you for clarifying.
ReplyDeleteWe in Shreveport wonder about the long-term plans, given the significant capital investment in the Berliner-format press and the projected newsprint savings. The Monroe-printing-in Shreveport scenario is plausable...the creation of a Louisiana-wide design hub in Monroe may be an attempt to soften the blow of a press closing there.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering why USAT printing continues in Hattiesburg? Can anyone enlighten on this issue?
ReplyDeleteApparently, Jackson didn't want to run USA TODAY. But Rochester, NY might.
ReplyDeleteI think hattiesburg also printed U. of Southern Miss stuff and some of the nearby weekly papers. Did that work go to Jackson too, or did it stay in Hattiesburg along with USAT. anyone know?
ReplyDeleteThe work stayed at The American which is now part of Gannett Offset.
ReplyDeleteMontgomery Advertiser negotiating with Birmingham News (Advance Publications)for printing eliminating all production jobs. Former Production Director was brilliant to leave.
ReplyDelete