San Francisco Chronicle closes printing press
Posted by Simon Day on July 6, 2009 at 12:41 PM
The San Francisco Chronicle has shut its printing press after over 100 years of in-house production and will outsource its printing to Transcontinental Inc. in Fremont, the newspaper reported on its website.
In November 2006 the paper revealed its plan to outsource the printing of the paper to Transcontinental Northern California. The contract will see the company print The Chronicle for 15 years.
In November 2006 the paper revealed its plan to outsource the printing of the paper to Transcontinental Northern California. The contract will see the company print The Chronicle for 15 years.
The move comes as the newspaper looks to upgrade its physical quality and make significant cost savings. Publisher Frank Vega said the change will allow The Chronicle to deliver high-quality color reproduction that will be at the forefront of the newspaper industry, with the new print offering print magazine-quality photos on crease-free pages.
"Our presses are about 50 years old," Vega said. "Several years ago we made a conscious decision that we need to be in the news and information business, and that printing was better left to professional commercial printers."
However, the closure has cost more than 200 union workers their jobs at The Chronicle.
"I'm disappointed that I couldn't finish my career here," said Tom Wibberley, 56, who had spent about 26 years with The Chronicle.
"I understand it's all a matter of savings. I understand that with computers and with circulation falling the way it is, they're trying to save money," Wibberley said. "Being 56 years old, I'm a little nervous about the future, especially the way the economy is."
The layoffs include a severance package that according to staff will provide two weeks pay for every year of service with the newspaper.
"Our production employees have been affiliated with this paper for scores of years and have done a good job for us," Vega said. "Unfortunately, it's time for us to move to a new print model."
Some former Chronicle staff are disgruntled at not being offered at the Transcontinental plant. However most looked back on their role with The Chronicle with pride.
"There was a whole generation of people who thought they would start here and retire from here," said Nancy Franklin, director of administration at the Union City plant, who is also losing her job. "You're connected with the paper. To be called in to do the extra (edition) for what happened on 9/11, to be part of changing the headline when they were trying to decide who won between George Bush and Al Gore - just to be a part of that history, you're right there as it's being chronicled. These people appreciate that."
"Our presses are about 50 years old," Vega said. "Several years ago we made a conscious decision that we need to be in the news and information business, and that printing was better left to professional commercial printers."
However, the closure has cost more than 200 union workers their jobs at The Chronicle.
"I'm disappointed that I couldn't finish my career here," said Tom Wibberley, 56, who had spent about 26 years with The Chronicle.
"I understand it's all a matter of savings. I understand that with computers and with circulation falling the way it is, they're trying to save money," Wibberley said. "Being 56 years old, I'm a little nervous about the future, especially the way the economy is."
The layoffs include a severance package that according to staff will provide two weeks pay for every year of service with the newspaper.
"Our production employees have been affiliated with this paper for scores of years and have done a good job for us," Vega said. "Unfortunately, it's time for us to move to a new print model."
Some former Chronicle staff are disgruntled at not being offered at the Transcontinental plant. However most looked back on their role with The Chronicle with pride.
"There was a whole generation of people who thought they would start here and retire from here," said Nancy Franklin, director of administration at the Union City plant, who is also losing her job. "You're connected with the paper. To be called in to do the extra (edition) for what happened on 9/11, to be part of changing the headline when they were trying to decide who won between George Bush and Al Gore - just to be a part of that history, you're right there as it's being chronicled. These people appreciate that."
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