FUNKE Reorganizes Printing Operations in North Rhine-Westphalia

The FUNKE Media Group is consistently pursuing its strategic transformation course and continues to align its business model with the future of the digital media market. In this context, the company plans to close the printing center in Hagen-Bathey, likely by mid-2027. This plan is subject to the conclusion of a reconciliation of interests agreement and a social plan.

With its digital growth strategy, the FUNKE Media Group is making targeted investments in the expansion of digital business models and is consistently aligning its structures with the changing needs of readers and advertisers. At the same time, the operating conditions in the printing business have been changing significantly for years. Against this backdrop, the company plans to outsource the print production of its North Rhine-Westphalia titles in the future and to focus its resources more strongly on growth-oriented areas of the future.

Initial discussions with the social partners have begun. The goal is to shape the next steps in a constructive and collaborative dialogue, acting responsibly and fairly. Despite the tremendous dedication of our employees, the changes in media consumption patterns and the resulting transformation of the industry cannot be stopped.

“We would like to thank all employees who have delivered first-class and reliable work for many years. They have made a decisive contribution to the reliable production of our newspapers,” says Christoph Rüth, FUNKE’s Group Managing Director responsible for regional media.

Regardless of the considerations regarding the Hagen-Bathey location, FUNKE Regional Media plans to secure its independence in the print sector by further developing the Lower Saxony Printing Center in Braunschweig. In this context, the possibility of transferring parts of Hagen’s print volume to Braunschweig is also being examined.