Sponsored Links:
Independent Newspapers
DEPRESSING: Machine operator Brenden Pirie on the Independent Newspapers presses that will grind to halt on March 31. General manager Ishmet Davidson informed staff that 92 employees would be affected as printing has been outsourced to Cape and Transvaal Printers in Parow. Picture: Brenton Geach.
The presses that print the Cape Times and Cape Argus, two of the oldest newspapers in the country, will close on March 31, Independent Newspapers told staff yesterday, ending an era in Cape Town’s newspaper industry.
From April both newspapers, as well as the company’s community newspapers and the Daily Voice, will be printed by Cape and Transvaal Printers (Pty) Ltd in Parow.
Ishmet Davidson, general manager of Independent Newspapers Cape, told staff that the company had lost the Avusa contract to print the Sunday Times and Business Day, because of print quality from the ageing presses. This had affected profitability.
“We have to acknowledge that our presses are old and outdated,” Davidson said.
The company had considered a number of options after losing the Avusa contract, and had decided that outsourcing the entire printing operation was the most economically viable route.
The closure of the presses means 92 staff from Independent Newspapers Cape will lose their jobs in various departments: the machine room, plate-making, insert and dispatch, central stores, production management and health and safety. Of these, 37 will be re-employed by Cape and Transvaal Printers.
The presses, Harris Graphics, were installed in the early 1980s.
Igshaan Patterson, foreman of the machine room with 32 years service, said the presses were in operation “almost 24 hours a day”, leaving little time for maintenance.
But Patterson said the presses were outdated technology and ultimately the only solution would have been to invest in new presses. - Staff Writer
|
|
Anonymous, wrote
The presses were depreciated over time and so have had no book value for years. Some of the tax savings made during the 80s should have been offset against a replacement Capex budget, but the company was sold during the 90s and no doubt the financials were massaged to optimise the sale. Presses cost in excess of R100million each in this configuration (Independent has 3 and a small one in Cape Town) and it's a simple exercise to calculate a return in a declining market. I suggest the print quality argument is partly disingenuous as there are major politics around big ticket contracts such as the AVUSA relationship. I guess the company is hedging its bets given the uncertainty for print and declining circulations forward. Simple business decision - the time for alternatives was in the late 90s when the print plants could have been spun off into a proper general printing company like CTP.
Anonymous, wrote
Agmat, wrote
it is that 48-hours old news that in keeping so many people in a job and remeber it is 92 families that would be worse off due to poor MANAGEMENT DECITIONS. The question is how many of those managers will loose their jobs due to this poor performing.y haert goes out to those families, but remember God will provide. Where one door closes the other will open
Mike Thurgood, wrote
I have absolutely no idea of the viability of the printing presses used by independent newspapers, but I suppose the cost of the newspapers has to be related to what the public is prepared to pay. But aren't charges related to a now life for such large printing plants, and geared to their eventual replacement? When they were bought in the 80s, did they incorporate the latest technology available at the time, or was were older technology presses purchased because they were cheaper? A number of the printing staff are going to be out of jobs come the end of this March. Was there no possibility of looking ahead right from the time when they were originally bought to a time in the future when they would have to be replaced? And build up a budget to cover the cost of their eventual replacement? Please note that, in asking these questions, I am not related with, or friends with, any of the printing staff, so my questions are totally independent of any such personal influence.
Ashley, wrote
Interestingly enough, the building might look old, but isn't. The portion of the buildings holding the presses only dates from the late 1960s-early 1970s. It just happens to have been built in an historicist style.
Anonymous, wrote
"No loss. Who still reads printed newspapers? What you read is 48hours old already. They may as well stop all of it and put the effort into improving the online content which is abysmal"-clearly this person is one of the elite 40 percent of South Africans that have daily internet access...Anyway, how did independent newspapers let this happen, surely maintenance and renewal of machinery is part of business plan...1 job lost is detrimental in this capitalist society...that 92 jobs lost must surely include whoever has been in charge of these printers, they have probably been given another job elsewher in the company...this is not on
Martin, wrote
Phylis - its the presses that are closing down, not the Cape Times! Its just being printed somewhere else. Also don't know what Zille has to do with it. Old technology was used - its a business decision, nothing more, nothing less.
Anonymous, wrote
How can there be comments about how old the new is? Some people buy the newspapers daily because they do not have the choice or option to read anything online! Aside from that, the amount of trees that will be saved will be minimal because all that is happening is that someone else (another company) will be printing more now that one is printing less! And then to add insult to injury, quite a few people in a specialised field will be unemployed.
Anonymous, wrote
A very sad article, a lot of history is going to flushed down the toilet. I wonder why the Argus never updated there machines over the years. It wasn't a secret that CTP was after the sunday time contract for years. A historical landmark will now probably be demolished and a stupid hotel put up in its place.
Anonymous, wrote
Bentbiker, wrote
Phyllis, wrote
Government must intervene....Where are you Zille? You can do your magic here. I trust you can. I loved the Cape Times on Mondays for all the jobs.
kenny, wrote
Jose Nogueira, wrote
Rene, wrote
This is so sad! All those litho minders losing their jobs and only a fraction of that to get re-employed at CTP. What happens to the rest? All they know is how to print. There just aren't any Litho Minder positions in the market!!!
Pangaman, wrote
Ah, bigoted racist Juan at his game again? Why should Zuma be responsible for the closure of the presses? Where does Zuma fit in on the contract between Avusa and and very old and outdated presses? Don't we live in a free market economy wherein govt must shut-up and be content with receiving taxmoney only? Some people's folly and stupidity knows no bounds indeed. Viva Juan the perfect village idiot! Continue amusing us with the size of your brain, go ahead endengered species!!!
Juan, wrote
Don't worry, when the anc has their way newspapers won't be printed anymore on ANY presses, and more people will lose their jobs. thanks zuma!
Anonymous, wrote
No loss. Who still reads printed newspapers? What you read is 48hours old already. They may as well stop all of it and put the effort into improving the online content which is abysmal
Showing items 1 - 18 of 18
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Financial Tools
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
Comment Guidelines