Trib to Print Sun-Times

[YankeeFan]

I suppose it makes sense for both sides.

The Chicago Tribune Media Group announced Tuesday it has reached an agreement to print the Chicago Sun-Times and seven of parent Sun-Times Media’s suburban newspapers.

Printing will be moved from the Sun-Times plant on Ashland Avenue to the Tribune's Freedom Center, with work phased in during the fall. The Tribune has distributed Sun-Times products since 2007.

"They are our No. 1 client, they are our largest client," said Becky Brubaker, senior vice president of manufacturing and distribution for Chicago Tribune Media Group. "It was an opportunity for both of us to expand services."
The Tribune did not disclose the terms of the deal, but Brukbaker said it had "meaningful value" for both companies.

The Sun-Times' Pioneer Press publications are printed by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, an arrangement that will continue, said Brubaker.

With this agreement, the Sun-Times has effectively exited the print manufacturing and distribution business.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-tribune-to-print-suntimes-20110719,0,7080274.story

 

[Versatile]

With this agreement, the Sun-Times has effectively exited the print manufacturing and distribution business.

More like "With this agreement, the Sun-Times has effectively outsourced its print manufacturing and distribution."

It's still in the business. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is no longer in the print manufacturing and distribution business.

 

[Fran Curci]

It's better than when the Sun-Times planned to outsource its copy editing to India.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I've never understood how you save money by having someone else print your newspaper. They are not printing it for you because they want to help you, they are doing it to make a profit from you. Also, once you close your production facility and the first contract expires, they can really **** you on your deadlines and the price. Because what are you gonna do about it if you don't like it, get the St. Louis paper to print you?

 

[BTExpress]

I've never understood how you save money by having someone else print your newspaper.

Tomorrow night one person will design our section. One person will read everything in the section.

But in six months the jobs will be going to Chicago, where it will be done more cheaply.

Still waiting to see the math on this.

 

[Desk_dude]

The Sun-Times presses and building were only about 10 years old. I read somewhere the presses would be basic scrap metal because of little demand for presses.

 

[I Should Coco]

I read this when I was back in Chi-town, and had two basic questions:

1. Will this affect Sun-Times deadlines? I'm sure the Tribune isn't going to move theirs up.

2. Was the Daily Herald an option for printing? Not sure where their facility is. I'm guessing the fact the Trib and Sun-Times already had a delivery agreement made a printing agreement inevitable.

Bottom line: more jobs lost in journalism, just not in the newsroom this time.