Modesto Bee to be printed in Sacramento, 80 jobs slashed

In an effort to cut costs, the Modesto Bee's printing operations will be moved to Sacramento. The switch, which will cut 80 jobs in Modesto, could begin as early as September. Modesto Bee:

The Modesto Bee is moving forward with plans to print the newspaper at The Sacramento Bee.

In an update to employees, Publisher and President Margaret Randazzo said that based on an analysis of printing The Modesto Bee in Sacramento, "it is clear that this move makes both financial and operational sense."

"This regional synergy with our sister McClatchy paper allows us to combine resources and streamline processes, resulting in significant cost savings and the avoidance of future capital expenses," Randazzo said in her memo Friday. "This is consistent with combining operations across the entire industry," including at other McClatchy papers.

While stressing that the company is still working through a number of transition and operational details, Randazzo told employees that the change very likely could occur by the end of September.

Moving The Bee’s printing to Sacramento would result in the reduction of approximately 80 equivalent full-time positions, Randazzo said.

The Idaho Statesman and The Bellingham Herald, two other McClatchy newspapers, recently announced that they will be printed by nearby newspapers.
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Modesto Bee may move production to Sacramento