AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT R. R. DONNELLEY

Chicago, Illinois-based R.R. Donnelley, an media communications company that provides marketing and business communications, commercial printing, and related services, has announced the closure of its West Caldwell, New Jersey facility that provides outsourced transactional document production and mailing services.

The closure will impact 201 employees.

The decision appears to be related to decreased commercial printing in favor of lower-cost electronic distribution modalities.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT OFFSET PAPERBACK MANUFACTURERS (02/26/24)

FEBRUARY 26, 2024 — UPDATE: 106 EMPLOYEES

The company has announced that 106 employees will be terminated at its Back Mountain printing facility at the end of May 2024.

JANUARY 4, 2024 — Original post…

Dallas, Pennsylvania-based Offset Paperback Manufacturers, Bertelsmann Printing Group USA, has announced that it will be ceasing operations in 2024 due to a decline in consumers reading printed books. Operations will be assumed by the company's facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The layoff will impact between 52 and 69 employees commencing in January 2024.

According to a memo to employees, signed by Christof Ludwig the CEO of Offset’s parent company BPG-USA, as well as COO Jorge Velasco, "We are very sorry to inform you, regretfully, the Board of BPG USA has decided to close Offset Paperback MFRS operation in Dallas, Pennsylvania. We plan to cease operations on or about May 3, 2024, with OPM's Mass Market Volume to be relocated to the company's plan in Martinsburg, West Virginia."

"The Board has explored all possible options to avoid the painful decision, but the massive decline in the Mass marker and Digest book segments will make it impossible to operate 2 printing plants. Bertelsmann Printing Group has worked for three years to beat obstacles, including reduced print lengths and volumes, but the Dallas facility, along with its Martinsburg plant, posted a 56% decline in combined mass market unit production between 2017 and this year, from 149 million units to 65 million. A further decline is expected in 2024 and Offset plans on closing its doors."

"Although this is sad news, we wanted to inform you as soon as possible, in the transparent way we have communicated to you in the past three years."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CUSTOM INK (12/22/23)

DECEMBER 22, 2023 — MORE BAD NEWS IN TEXAS

The company is closing its Flower Mound, Texas production division by March 29, 2024, and will start laying off workers as soon as February 13, 2024, including production workers, managers, salespeople, and administrators. The closure will impact 285 employees.

According to a company statement, “To improve performance and better align the business with its tech-oriented growth strategy, Custom Ink is planning to close its Dallas In-House Production facility by the end of the first quarter of 2024 and return to a production model utilizing a network of partners. We expect the closing to be permanent in nature This will involve the cessation of all production operations at the site. This is a difficult process, and Custom Ink is committed to supporting Inkers to make successful transitions, including 4-26 weeks severance, a subsidy for health benefits, and professional job placement assistance.”

JANUARY 17, 2023 — Original post…

Fairfax, Virginia-based Custom Ink, an online retail company that manufactures personalized clothing and advertising specialties, has announced the closure of its Reno, Nevada, and Charlottesville. Virginia production facilities.

The closures will impact 338 employees, including 206 production workers in Charlottesville and 132 employees at the Reno facility.

According to a company spokesperson, “Due to rising costs and increasingly tight markets for production talent, Custom Ink has decided to close our production sites in Reno, Nevada and Charlottesville, Virginia, and consolidate in-house production in our Dallas, Texas facility.”

“This difficult step will support the continued growth and profitability of the business and ultimately help Custom Ink do a better job for customers, team members, and the communities we touch.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?