North Chelmsford, Mass. - Courier Corporation, one of America’s leading book manufacturers and specialty publishers, today announced that it is considering closing its manufacturing plant in Stoughton, Massachusetts, due to the impact of technology and competitive pressures affecting the one-color paperback books in which the plant specializes. Courier will be soliciting input from the union that represents some of the plant employees to ensure that employees’ interests are represented as we work towards a final decision on the matter, which is expected by the end of February.

Courier’s Stoughton plant currently employs 110 people. This one-color plant is the smallest and least versatile of Courier’s six manufacturing facilities, and has seen its volume decline in recent years as customers have increasingly turned to four-color production, shorter print runs and more efficient short-run alternatives such as digital printing, in which the company has invested heavily in the last year.

“Advancing technology, increasing customization, shorter run-lengths and the continuing shift to four-color have led to reduced demand for one-color work and tighter competition for the one-color work that remains,” said Courier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James F. Conway III. “We have responded by investing in Massachusetts with new HP digital printing equipment, which offers outstanding quality and improved efficiency across the board from one- to four-color.

“In the event we decide to close the Stoughton plant, we are committed to helping employees through the transition. And regardless of the outcome, Courier customers should know that their work will remain in good hands, and our commitment to outstanding service is undiminished.”