Crikey.com published a rumor yesterday that Fairfax and News were considering sharing the News printing plant at Chullora:
Print merger for News, Fairfax. Watch for a possible merger of News and Fairfax print site in Sydney in the next two to three years. It will operate from News Limited’s Chullora site. Friends have said they spotted top-level Fairfax bosses as well as Fairfax print site managers walking around the Chullora site measuring the room available. It was extended recently to accommodate an extra two presses. The same will happen in Melbourne — rumour has it that they have agreed on a block of land to build a greenfield site in the Somerton/Campbellfield area with a completion date of three years.
If true, it would be big news for newsagents on a range of fronts from efficiency through to the possibility of publishers setting up for direct delivery.
Both Fairfax and News are currently reviewing their current newspaper home delivery structure and considering future plans.
I would imagine they are thinking that far ahead; the question is…..when were they planning on telling newsagents…..a month before maybe. News Ltd and Fairfax are planning for the future…..most newsagents are not.
Total stuff up!
Papers gone from arriving at shed 1230am to 330am Saturday.
Today Sunday papers were 2am today maybe 4/430am.
No communication to truck drivers, our day off and husband now has to go to work to help make up time.
Sorry what is the latest time that home delivery customers must receive their newspaper by???
Guessing that News Ltd and Fairfax decision makers all asleep in bed while we are dealing with their problems, would like some home phone numbers so I can discuss disturbed sleep on one of our few days off!
If they can’t sort this out there will be a lot more newsagents throwing in their runs.
Maybe that is what they want?