ACM to cut WA publications

Australian Community Media has flagged closure of its Western Australian mastheads, with its Mandurah printing press to shut its doors in the coming months.

In November 2020, IVE Group announced it has entered into a long-term contract to print and distribute publications published and managed by ACM, including acquiring its Mandurah printing operations.

However, the printer yesterday announced to its clients that the Mandurah press on Rafferty Close will close, with the last day of production being May 19.

Business News understands more than 30 staff could be laid off.

ACM's WA mastheads include the Augusta-Margaret River Mail, Bunbury Mail, Busselton-Dunsborough Mail and Mandurah Mail.

In a letter to clients yesterday, IVE Group said rising costs in the supply chain and a recent decision by one of its key client to transition the community newspapers to a digital-only product significantly affected operations at the Mandurah site.

“The Mandurah site has been an excellent operation, providing a reliable and cost effective print solution south of Perth for many years however following an extensive feasibility assessment and considering all alternative options to provide continuity of supply however we are announcing today the closure of the Mandurah printing site," the letter said.

“As IVE’s only coldset printing site of newspapers or commercial coldset products, we do not have a technology solution to offer alternative supply within other IVE sites."

IVE Group estimated the printing contract would generate revenue of about $100 million over a five-year term, according to its statement on the ASX in 2020.

ACM has been contacted for comment.

The Mandurah facility is one of two commercial printing presses in WA, and prints Business News and other regional newspapers.

The other commercial printing press is owned by Seven West Media.

Business News previously reported that ACM stopped printing some of its WA newspaper titles due to the weak advertising market as a result of the pandemic.

ACM also announced it would permanently shut its Canberra, Murray Bridge and Ballarat print centres in mid-2020.

Nine Entertainment sold ACM to Mr Catalano and his business partner Alex Waislitz for $115 million in July 2019, after Nine and Fairfax Media merged in late 2018.