The Philadelphia Inquirer has sold its Schuylkill Printing Plant to developer J. Brian O’Neill for $37 million, according to reporting by the Inquirer’s Jacob Adelman, reports Poynter.
This decision will result in the loss of 500 jobs, in October.
Publisher Lisa Hughes told staff in an email:
“The decision is part of a business strategy aimed at reducing operational expenses and ensuring the long term sustainability of The Inquirer.
“SPP has been central to our operations for nearly 30 years, and I know that the decision to no longer print our own newspapers is an emotional one for many.”
The Philly Inquirer is the latest to outsource its work. Last year, at least 1,500 jobs were lost to printing plant shutdowns.
The Inquirer, which is owned by the Lenfest Institute, will outsource its printing to a Gannett plant in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
