Sussex-based Quad/Graphics Inc. is stepping down operations immediately at its Dickson, Tenn., plant. All production is expected to wrap up on or before March 12, 2015.
“The plant closure is a necessary business decision resulting from Gannett’s recent, unexpected decision to cease publishing USA Weekend, effective with the Dec. 28 issue, and Athlon Media Group’s decision to change its rate base for Parade magazine, resulting in reduced circulation,” said Quad/Graphics spokeswoman Claire Ho. “Unfortunately, this work accounts for about one-third of the plant’s total volume. Because the plant cannot remain competitive and profitable without this work, we made the difficult decision to close the plant. Out of respect for our employees and their families, we chose to share the news as soon as we knew the outcome.”
Approximately 90 full-time and approximately 25 part-time employees will be impacted, according to Ho. All employees, who were notified of the closure on Dec. 17, will have the opportunity to transfer to another Quad/Graphics facility, including the nearby plants in Nashville, Tenn., and Franklin, Ky.
The company also has positions available at plants in other parts of the country, and in the coming weeks will hold career fairs onsite at the Dickson facility for employees to learn about them. Quad/Graphics has nearly 60 plants throughout the United States.
“We value the talent and commitment of our employees in Dickson, and we would like for them to remain employed with our company,” Ho said.
The news of the Dickson, Tenn., plant closure follows the announcement of the Atlanta direct marketing plant closure made earlier this month.
Quad/Graphics plans to begin stepping down operations at the Atlanta plant in early January before the entire plant will be closed by Feb. 1. Ho said 100 jobs will be eliminated by the closure, and, like the Dickson, Tenn., employees, the Atlanta employees will have opportunities to apply for jobs at other Quad/Graphics plants.
David Blais, executive vice president of global procurement and platform strategy for Quad/Graphics, said the decision to close the Atlanta plant was due in part to significant and costly upgrades to the plant’s presses and an expensive lease. Furthermore, the plant was too large for the company’s needs and not a good fit geographically.
Ho said the Quad/Graphics plant in Pewaukee will likely absorb some of the work currently produced in Atlanta. Additional mailing volume will be processed through the company’s New Berlin commingling center.
