FEBRUARY 26, 2024 — UPDATE: 106 EMPLOYEES
The company has announced that 106 employees will be terminated at its Back Mountain printing facility at the end of May 2024.
JANUARY 4, 2024 — Original post…
Dallas, Pennsylvania-based Offset Paperback Manufacturers, Bertelsmann Printing Group USA, has announced that it will be ceasing operations in 2024 due to a decline in consumers reading printed books. Operations will be assumed by the company's facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The layoff will impact between 52 and 69 employees commencing in January 2024.
According to a memo to employees, signed by Christof Ludwig the CEO of Offset’s parent company BPG-USA, as well as COO Jorge Velasco, "We are very sorry to inform you, regretfully, the Board of BPG USA has decided to close Offset Paperback MFRS operation in Dallas, Pennsylvania. We plan to cease operations on or about May 3, 2024, with OPM's Mass Market Volume to be relocated to the company's plan in Martinsburg, West Virginia."
"The Board has explored all possible options to avoid the painful decision, but the massive decline in the Mass marker and Digest book segments will make it impossible to operate 2 printing plants. Bertelsmann Printing Group has worked for three years to beat obstacles, including reduced print lengths and volumes, but the Dallas facility, along with its Martinsburg plant, posted a 56% decline in combined mass market unit production between 2017 and this year, from 149 million units to 65 million. A further decline is expected in 2024 and Offset plans on closing its doors."
"Although this is sad news, we wanted to inform you as soon as possible, in the transparent way we have communicated to you in the past three years."
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?