Sun-Star to move printing operations to Fresno Bee starting June 6

The Merced Sun-Star is moving its printing operations to its fellow McClatchy newspaper, The Fresno Bee, beginning June 6.

In an update to employees, Publisher and President Eric Johnston said that in recent months the company has been weighing the idea of printing the Sun-Star at The Fresno Bee. "After considerable analysis we have come to the conclusion that this is both financially and operationally beneficial for the Sun-Star," he said in a statement to employees.

Moving the Sun-Star's printing to Fresno would result in the elimination of 20 positions at the Sun-Star. Many of the Sun-Star's part-time employees only work one or two shifts a week, and for some, it's been a second job, the company said.

Johnston insisted that the move wouldn't affect the Sun-Star's news and advertising functions. "We are committed to the continuation of quality service for both our readers and our advertisers," he said. "The Sun-Star newsroom and advertising sales staff will continue to provide strong local news coverage and advertising services to our valued readers and customers."

In what Johnston called "regional synergy with our sister McClatchy paper," the publisher said the move "allows us to combine resources and streamline processes, resulting in significant cost savings."

The move is the latest among McClatchy newspapers to consolidate printing functions and is consistent with combining operations across the entire industry. In the past two years, McClatchy's Modesto, Boise, Columbus, Macon and Bellingham newspapers have shifted their printing operations to other sites.

Among the reasons for shifting to Fresno is that the Sun-Star will have its own dedicated press, which allows more control of production deadlines, as well as greater color and page capacity. In addition, the flexographic process used in Fresno is renowned for its high-quality reproduction, clarity and low run-waste. Readers will also notice that the ink doesn't rub off on their hands or clothes when reading the Sun-Star.

While acknowledging that the economic climate in Merced is uncertain, Johnston said that the change is being made to let the Sun-Star focus on what it does best in the community -- offer the best products possible for readers and advertisers.

The Sun-Star also said that employees affected by the move may be eligible to get severance payments, extension of their company-paid health benefits and outplacement services. "We will review the severance package with each employee impacted and work with them through the transition," Johnston said.

Besides the Sun-Star, the Merced plant also prints the Los Banos Enterprise, Chowchilla News, Livingston Chronicle, Atwater Signal, Sierra Star Weekly, Sierra Star Advertiser, a Sun-Star television guide, the Mariposa Gazette, numerous special sections and student newspapers from Merced College and UC Merced.

Executive Editor Mike Tharp can be reached at (209) 385-2456 or mtharp@mercedsunstar.com.