DC Thomson begins consultation process for 46 production staff in Aberdeen
Publisher DC Thomson has begun a consultation process which could see 46 members of its production staff in Aberdeen lose their jobs.
A memo circulated by the company's CEO of publishing, Ellis Watson informed staff this afternoon of the consultation process and revealed that the company planned to explore the possibility of publishing titles such The Press & Journal, The Evening Express, Citizen and ScotAds from its new operation in Kingsway.
"By investing, modernising and developing our titles using this capability, we increase efficiency, providing more for our customers in the shape of supplements and inserts and benefitting from advertising cross-selling and commercial synergies," explained Watson who added that the company had to revise its publishing methods as a result.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the company will always have a base in Aberdeen for our Editorial and Commercial teams. We are firmly committed to providing local news to local communities and we will continue to be located in the communities we serve," he continued before stating that the move would result in the need for a different process of working in order to create a "sustainable future" for DC Thomson.
A spokesperson for DC Thomson, commented: "After a thorough investigation of all possible avenues to maintain an economically viable and sustainable printing plant in Aberdeen for the long term, we are actively exploring the option of printing all of our newspaper titles in Dundee. This would mean that The Press and Journal, Evening Express, Aberdeen Citizen and ScotAds would no longer be printed in Aberdeen and would be transported and distributed directly from a single print centre in Dundee."
It is understood that no other roles will be affected as a result of this consultation.