Citing the need to reduce excess offset manufacturing capacity and to free up resources to invest in digital manufacturing, Edwards Brothers Malloy is consolidating its two Ann Arbor, Mich. manufacturing plants into one facility. The State Street plant offset operation will be moved to the company’s other offset facility located seven miles away in Ann Arbor. Some equipment will also be moved to it’s the printer’s facility in Lillington, N.C. The State Street property will be put on the market and the entire move is expected to take six to 12 months. The company noted that some positions already have been cut and more reductions could come the next year.
“It’s a very difficult decision to make,” said John Edwards, president and CEO of Edwards Brothers Malloy. “But like most book printers, we’ve seen a decline in longer run offset business. At the same time our digital operation is growing at a 20% clip, so that is where we need to be investing for the future.” To that end, the company said a new inkjet press will be installed in Ann Arbor in the next six to eight weeks.
“This is part of a multi-year plan to position us for the future,” said Edwards. “We’re celebrating our 120 year anniversary this year. With hard work and a bit of luck, we plan to be around for the next 120 years.”
