Gannett Closes Deer Valley Printing Facility, Lays Off 117 Employees

News Summary

Gannett Co., Inc. has announced the closure of its Deer Valley Printing Facility in North Phoenix, resulting in the layoffs of 117 employees. The final copies of the Arizona Republic will be printed there on October 5th, after which operations will shift to Las Vegas. This move is part of Gannett’s broader strategy to streamline operations and cut costs without compromising journalism quality. Employees will receive severance packages, and the transition will impact submission deadlines for news and advertising. The closure marks a significant change in the local journalism landscape.

Arizona – Gannett Co., Inc., the parent company of the Arizona Republic, has announced the closure of its Deer Valley Printing Facility located in North Phoenix, resulting in the layoff of 117 employees. The final copies of the Arizona Republic will be printed at the Deer Valley location on October 5th, after which all future printing, packaging, and distribution operations will shift to Gannett’s facility in Las Vegas. This decision follows a broader trend as the company implements cost-cutting measures to enhance operational efficiency.

In a move expected to streamline operations, Gannett has stated that the change will not compromise the quality of journalism delivered. Employees at the Deer Valley facility will receive severance packages as they transition out of their roles. The company expresses gratitude for the service of its employees at the printing facility that has serviced multiple publications, including not only the Arizona Republic but also the Arizona Daily Star and Arizona Daily Sun, and national newspapers such as The New York Times and USA Today.

Gannett’s decision was also influenced by the acquisition of the Deer Valley property by Atlas Capital Partners and DRA Advisors for $38 million. This sale required Gannett to establish new logistics for its printing needs. Following this transition, the Yuma Sun will now hold the distinction of being the largest daily newspaper by circulation still printed in Arizona.

As Gannett consolidates its operations, the move to Las Vegas is expected to generate operational savings. These savings are intended to fund future investments in journalism that may help improve overall content quality. However, employees at the Deer Valley facility have expressed feelings of loss and uncertainty regarding their futures following the layoffs. Comments from various staff indicate a sense of disconnection as they adjust to the idea of no longer working for a local newspaper.

After the conclusion of operations on October 5th, a small number of employees will remain to manage the transition by cleaning the facility and overseeing the equipment transfer. The shift to Las Vegas will also necessitate earlier deadlines for both news copy and advertising submissions because of the increased distance between the two cities.

Historically, the Deer Valley Printing Facility was not only a critical hub for local newspapers but also printed for larger national publications, thus playing a significant role in the journalism landscape. Gannett had previously sold the facility but continued leasing it to facilitate ongoing operations, illustrating the shifting dynamics of newspaper printing in the current economic climate.

The closure at Deer Valley signifies the latest in a series of transitions for the company, which is continually looking for opportunities to streamline and consolidate its printing operations. In moving forward, Gannett aims to maintain its commitment to quality journalism while adapting to a rapidly changing media environment and consumer preferences.

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