Gannett Announces Layoffs at Arizona Republic amid Printing Shift

News Summary

Gannett Publishing plans to lay off 117 workers at the Arizona Republic due to moving printing services from Phoenix to Las Vegas. This transition aims to reduce costs and reinvest in journalism. Affected employees will receive severance packages, while the publication will print issues in Las Vegas starting October 2023. The move reflects Gannett’s strategy to increase operational efficiency and sustain local journalism.

Arizona

Gannett Publishing, the parent company of the Arizona Republic newspaper, has announced plans to lay off 117 workers in Arizona due to the decision to move its printing services from Phoenix to Las Vegas. A Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act notice filed on July 22 indicates that the layoffs will affect production employees at the Republic’s facility in Deer Valley, which will cease operations with final prints scheduled for October 5, 2023.

The transition to Las Vegas aims to reduce operational costs, a strategy that Gannett believes may allow for reinvestment in journalistic endeavors. The Republic has reported that this shift is intended to enhance the financial viability of their journalism while maintaining quality local content and support for advertising partners.

Details of the Layoffs

All affected full- and part-time production employees at the Deer Valley facility will receive severance packages. A small number of employees will remain to facilitate the relocation of equipment and oversee facility cleanup after the closure. Gannett’s chief communications and brand officer assured that the Arizona Republic will continue to provide its audience with quality journalism despite the relocation.

From October onward, the Arizona Republic will have its issues printed in Las Vegas, then transported back to Arizona for distribution. This relocation will also lead to earlier deadlines for news copy and advertising submissions; however, Gannett has stated that it does not anticipate any negative impacts on delivery times for print customers. The transition will not affect the company’s online services.

Background of the Printing Facility

The Deer Valley printing facility, which has been operational since 1987 and was acquired by Gannett in 2000, was sold for $38 million in August 2023. Gannett entered into a lease agreement for temporary printing services at the facility during the transition period. The layoffs in Arizona come on the heels of earlier job losses earlier this year when Gannett shut down another production facility in Michigan, resulting in a loss of 109 jobs.

In addition to the Arizona Republic, other Gannett publications currently printed in Phoenix will also shift their printing operations to Riverside, California, beginning in October. The Las Vegas Review-Journal is set to handle the printing services for the Arizona Republic as part of this consolidation effort.

Future Prospects and Company Strategy

The strategic shift stems from Gannett’s ongoing effort to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs across its publishing footprint. The company’s commitment to consolidating its print operations has been evident in its recent actions, which are focused on building a sustainable future for journalism amid a continuously evolving media landscape.

Despite the significant adjustments, Gannett remains hopeful that the financial savings gained from these operational changes will pave the way for future investments in journalism and overall business growth, ultimately ensuring that the Arizona Republic continues to serve its communities effectively.

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