11 production workers will be laid off from SPH Media, following the decommissioning of two of the company’s 30-year-old printing presses that have reached the end of their operational lifespan.
According to a news report published by the Straits Times yesterday (July 22), SPH Media’s CEO Chan Yeng Kit announced the job cuts in an email sent to staff on the same day. The affected staff, including those who operated the printing presses and were involved in newspaper distribution, were later informed directly by SPH Media’s Head of Production, Lim Swee Yeow.
The company had also explored redeployment opportunities, however, it was unable to find suitable roles for the affected employees. It has informed the unions and NTUC of the layoffs, and is committed in supporting the workers during this period of transition.
SPH Media’s upcoming layoffs come on the heels of its decision earlier this month to wind down Tech in Asia’s Indonesian publication and operations—a move that impacted 18% of the team. Tech in Asia was acquired by SPH Media in 2024.
Prior to that, in November 2024, SPH Media cut 34 technology roles, affecting 10% of tech employees across various teams and ranks.
While both previous rounds of layoffs were tied to restructuring efforts, the upcoming job cuts result from operational reviews as the company evolves, according to Chan’s email.
The printing presses that are being decommissioned—the Colorliner models—have much lower capabilities compared to SPH Media’s newer Commander presses from Koenig & Bauer (KBA). Moving forward, printing operations will be consolidated onto the company’s four KBA Commander presses, which have undergone updates.
The company’s investment in upgrading its printing presses will help ensure the continued delivery of high-quality print operations.
“Print continues to be an important format and channel through which we engage our audiences daily,” Chan said, emphasising the firm’s continuous commitment to meet the demand for print formats even as it makes these changes.
Pushing forward despite decline in print readership
While print remains a key focus for SPH Media, declining readership reflects the broader shift as digital platforms have become the dominant choice among Singaporeans.
According to the Digital News Report 2025 by the Reuters Institute, print readership in Singapore has decreased exponentially, from 53% in 2017 to 18% in 2025.
Although SPH Media has not disclosed current newspaper print volumes, SPH Media CEO Chan emphasised the need for the company to continue conducting its reviews to ensure that operations remain fit for purpose, given technological advances and changing customer preferences.
However, Chan also clarified that not all reviews will result in job redundancies, and that SPH Media’s human resources department will explore all alternatives, including redeployment and retraining, with layoffs considered only as a last resort.
I am committed to building our strategy and business with all of you. This includes putting in place new directions, initiatives and investments to drive SPH forward. As we do so, we must continue to spend prudently and seek efficiencies where we can as part of our regular operations.
The organisation must navigate this tension well in order to succeed.
Chan Yeng Kit, CEO of SPH Media in an email addressing the layoffs
SPH Media has also reiterated its commitment to remain focused on strengthening its capabilities to serve audiences across all platforms, as well as investing in sustainable and future-ready media operations.
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