BGSU to phase out Central Stores, Printing Services

In response to budget pressures and a changing business environment, the University has announced it will phase out Central Stores and Printing Services in 2005.

The phase-out will occur over the next year, with Printing Services ceasing operations by Feb. 5, 2005, and Central Stores closing its doors by June 30, 2005.

Materials Handling, which now comprises Central Stores, Printing Services, Inventory Management and Postal Services (including Stamper’s Postal and Copy Center), will be reorganized into two work groups under director Mark Anderson. Postal Services and Stamper’s will report to Troy Lacey, while a new unit called Shipping, Receiving and Property Management will report to Bob Smith. Plans are to have the new unit in place by July 2, 2005.

The five employees affected by the change will be offered other employment prior to the closing of the units. All will be assisted by Human Resources in finding another position on campus. Becca Ferguson, assistant vice president for human resources, and Marsha Serio, manager of employee relations, have met with the employees to begin making preparations for the change.

Several major factors contributed to the decision to phase out these operations, notably a decline in business in each area accompanied by rising costs, according to Jane Schimpf, assistant vice president for auxiliary services. The expense of employee benefits, particularly health care costs, has increased significantly, while departments have already been choosing alternate supply methods for their needs, she said.

The demand for printing services has decreased in part because of campuswide efforts to reduce operating expenses. Many areas now either copy their own materials or use the Web to disseminate information in place of printed materials. With the widening use of alternative means of communicating, sales revenue for printing services is expected to decline further.

Equipment leasing and maintenance costs continue to rise as well, and the cost of replacing outdated equipment is prohibitive, said Christopher Dalton, senior vice president for finance and administration. When the leases on the printing equipment expire at the end of January, BGSU will not renew them, Dalton said. The University will select a prime vendor to handle most campus needs.

Similarly, revenue for Central Stores has declined while costs have risen. Fewer purchases are being made from Central Stores as departments have reduced their operating expenses, either buying less or doing without supplies. In addition, more areas, such as dining services, the Bowen-Thompson Student Union and the Student Recreation Center, are buying supplies directly from vendors who provide “just-in-time delivery,” thereby eliminating the need to warehouse items.

The new Shipping, Receiving and Property Management unit will handle storage and delivery of large items that departments may not have room to receive all at once, and will coordinate the receipt and delivery of supplies from vendors.