Jostens to close Winston-Salem plant

By: Kim Underwood | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: June 16, 2009

Jostens announced today that it will lay off all 185 employees in Winston-Salem over the coming months as it shuts down its yearbook printing plant here.

"It is a very difficult and unfortunate decision to make," said Rich Stoebe, a spokesman for the company.

The yearbook business is strong, Stoebe said. "We have a very solid business."

The move is aimed at increasing efficiency by consolidating Jostens printing operations at other plants where it has invested in technology and equipment, Stobe said.

Jostens is based in Minneapolis, Minn., and also has plants in Tennessee, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Missouri and California.

In a prepared statement, Tim Larson, the president and CEO of Jostens, said, "I would like to thank all the Winston-Salem plant employees for their contributions and dedication. We are committed to supporting each employee during the transition and do so with our values as a foundation. Today's announcement was based on significant evaluation. Technology and plant investments to improve efficiency are necessary as we continue to deliver customers great experiences, quality and innovation."

Winston-Salem employees will receive severance packages and help finding other jobs. Stoebe did not say whether employees here would be offered jobs at other plants.

"At this point, we have not announced that," he said.

Nor did not say when the first Winston-Salem employees will be laid off. He did say that the process will be a gradual one over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for customers and sales representatives.

A final closing date for the plant has not yet been set, Stoebe said. "We don't have a hard date at this point."

An employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that employees were not surprised. As they have seen new equipment being sent to other plants, they knew it was a matter of time.

"The handwriting was on the wall," the employee said.

Jostens, which is a subsidiary of Visant Corp., was founded in 1897. In addition to yearbooks, it manufactures yearbooks, class rings and graduation and athletics products. The company bought the Winston-Salem plant in 1988.

Kim Underwood can be reached at 727-7389 or at kunderwood@wsjournal.com.