“Old” Newspaper Presses Wind Up at Binghamton Scrapyard
Massive German-made printing press units utilized by the Press & Sun-Bulletin for just over a decade now are being scrapped.
Parts of presses that were put into service in June 2006 now are being hauled to Ben Weitsman of Binghamton on Brandywine Avenue.
The gigantic presses have been taken apart piece-by-piece in recent weeks at the building that had housed the $50 million Gannett Central New York Production Facility. The 96,000-square-foot building is located off CFJ Boulevard in Johnson City.
About 98 people had worked in the printing and packaging operations at the site before it was shut down. Gannett's Binghamton, Elmira and Ithaca papers now are printed in Rochester.
About one-million pounds of press components are being trucked to the Binghamton scrapyard by Al Smith Rigging of Kirkwood.
Adam Weitsman, who owns the metal recycling business, said it's "sad" that the newspaper presses are being scrapped as people turn to digital technology for their information.
Southern Tier Hemp is purchasing the former printing plant building from Gannett.
The Press & Sun-Bulletin will move newspaper distribution operations from the Johnson City site to Binghamton. Papers will be trucked from Rochester to warehouse space at the site of the old Hansmann's Mills facility at 336 Court Street.
George Troyano, president of Gannett's Central New York Media unit, could not be reached to comment.
WHEN IT ALL WAS NEW: Watch this video tour of the Johnson City printing plant from June 2006.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com
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