Very interesting. Being in the printing industry for some 20+ years, I can say that presses have come a long way in the past decade alone. One aspect to consider is, how OLD are their presses? They may be quite obsolete by now, and when coupled with inefficiency, it can be quite costly to run the operation themselves.
Add the recent decision to stop mailed subscriptions (some people just like reading feel-good material, and wont bother to get them throgh the witnesses as it pressures one to have a Bible Study), and production is likely way down. Web presses should run 24/7 to be viable. No demand, no $$ from willing and long-time "contributors."
If this info is true, I think it is quite understandable.
Look for the WTS to sell any outdated presses to a Third World nation.
Boozy