DC Thomson & Co Ltd today announced it is proposing to close its gravure, sheet-fed printing production and book binding operations in Dundee.
The proposal means up to 350 jobs are at risk of redundancy and the proposed closure of one of the company’s three sites in the city.
This will not affect its newspaper business. The company will continue to print The Courier, the Evening Telegraph and The Sunday Post for the Scottish market at its Kingsway premises, which is also the site for its gravure printing operation. It is proposed that the company’s West Ward site in Guthrie Street would close.
A spokesman for the company said, “These proposed changes are necessary to ensure a strong future for the business which is proud of its heritage, its association with Dundee and the fine journalism which we produce.
“These are difficult times for the publishing industry, but our publications are still amongst the most successful in their field. However, like others, we are not immune to the economic downturn or market conditions.
“We remain fully committed to our newspapers, magazines and comics business.
“For the last 25 years, DC Thomson unusually has continued to print its own books and magazines despite increasingly difficult market conditions.
“We will do everything we can to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies so we can achieve the change wherever possible through a voluntary arrangement,” said the spokesman.
“We will be entering into a period of 90 days’ consultation with all those affected.
“Our Glasgow printing operation, where 34 staff left through voluntary severance in March, is not affected by these announcements.”
For more on this story, see tomorrow’s Courier.