Industry Insight

Adapting to change is the key to success in the world of newspapers. Technology advances, the cost of newsprint fluctuates, advertiser demands change, and readership habits evolve. Add to those, the additional burden of recent world events has compounded the issue of newspapers facing shrinking profits.

There are many ways to address this challenge. Often the first that comes to mind is to reduce personnel. While this may yield immediate results, it is not always the best solution.

How can companies determine the best long-term solution for the specific challenge it faces? Chuck Blevins & Associates draws from a wide range of planning experience to help newspapers develop innovative solutions during these uncertain economic times.  The answer may be as comprehensive as consolidating operations, or it may simply consist of improving process flow and maximizing efficiencies within the existing operation. Top-to-bottom overhaul or fine-tuning-CBAssociates' know-how leads clients to appropriate and effective solutions.

The solution for some companies requires a critical look at the entire operation. CBAssociates recently completed a major end-to-end study for the Newspaper Agency Corporation, in Salt Lake City.  The focus, which evaluated the entire manufacturing operation, was to assess opportunities for improving operating efficiency that would result in cost reductions while improving service to the advertisers and customers. During the study, several savings opportunities were identified and implemented immediately. These yielded savings for the newspaper even before the analysis was completed. Now, CBAssociates is working with the Agency to implement specific initiatives.

Another recent trend to boost a company's bottom line has been to print, package and distribute several newspapers from a common location. CBAssociates has recently completed consolidation projects for several newspaper companies. Horvitz Newspapers in Kent, Wash., will soon print and package the South County Journal,and the Eastside Journal, and will take on a long-term contract for printing Investor's Business Daily, at its new facility. Besides sharing man power and equipment, the new facility, which is under construction, will allow the production staff to utilize efficient processes and work flow.

CBAssociates welcomes the opportunity to share our knowledge of product and operations planning, production and distribution analysis, process and equipment analysis, master planning, and design development. Our long-term experience in the newspaper industry coupled with recent projects focused on cost-savings initiatives could provide the solutions you seek. 

Chuck Blevins & Associates has a reputation for being an industry leader.
Their insights and opinions are often published in various industry journals.
Most recently, Chuck Blevins published an article in newspaper techniques, October 2001, "Reducing Start-Up Waste-Closing the Waste Gap between Perception and Reality"
To learn more about our services, qualifications, and published articles, please contact Janelle Piccola at 303-431-5909