2004 Yearbook,highlights page 21 thru 23.
On September 1,2001,seven brothers from different parts of the world were selected to serve as a Printing Study Group.The Governing Body asked these brothers to make a study of all the printing branches around the world and to recommend ways to use these existing facilities to a greater degree.On the basis of the study group's recommendations,on October 17,2001,the Governing Body gave approval to regionalize the printing,with each region taking care of its own printing needs.The regions are Africa,Asia,Europe,North America,and South America.
The new arrangement went into operation at the beginning of 2002.The results have been encouraging.Consider book production.In the year 2002,the United States branch produced almost 50 percent of the books for the world.But now,under the regional printing arrangement,it produces just 26 percent.This has resulted in a reduction in shipping costs, $$$$$$ staff,machines,and needed floor space in the United States printery and in more efficient use of existing facilities in other countries.$$$$$$$$$$$$
In conjunction with the change to regional printing,the Governing Body approved the purchased of seven new MAN Roland Lithoman printing presses.$$$$$$$$$ These will replace aging and less efficient equipment,thus helping to care for future printing needs.Five of the new presses,some of which have already been installed,are for the branches in Brazil,Britian,Japan,Mexico,and South Africa.The other two are for the printery at Wallkill,New York,where they are slated for installation in April and May 2004.Each press is 133 feet long,will produce 90,000 magazines or magazine - size signatures for books per hour ( 25 per second ),and will be able to print in full color on all pages.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
ADDITIONAL CHANGES in BROOKLYN and at WALLKILL
Along with the new presses,Wallkill will also receive new bindery equipment that is capable of producing hard cover books and deluxe Bibles at the rate of 120 per minute.$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The Shipping Department,which will be moved from Brooklyn to Wallkill,will benefit from a new high - rise storage system that will allow literature to be stored in less than half the floor space used in Brooklyn.
The vacated buildings in Brooklyn will be used for other purposes.$$$$$$$$ Additionally,in June 2003 the Governing Body announced the possible sale $$$$$$$$$$$ of the million - square - foot building located at 360 Furman Street,which has housed the Shipping and other departments.The other departments in the building have been or soon will be moved to different parts of the Brooklyn complex.
It looks like the society is digging in for the long haul and will continue to PRINT,PRINT,and PRINT. $$$$$$$$ No wonder they now have a three week watchtower.study on the rank and file not doing enough in the field service,they need to get all this paper out there.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Soon.
Blueblades