More Layoffs: Taunton Cuts 9

Slowdown in home construction cited as a factor.

By Dylan Stableford
06/20/2008

SEE RELATED: Roman's Memo to Staffers

Taunton Press—the Newtown, Connecticut-based niche publisher of hobbyist magazines including Fine Woodworking—has cut nine employees from its workforce, FOLIO: has learned.

"On a personal level it is difficult but is important to the long-term health of the company," president and editor-in-chief Sue Roman wrote in an e-mail to FOLIO: confirming the cuts on Friday. Taunton is also said to have frozen new hires as it adjusts its 2009 fiscal year budget.

The layoffs come as the company tries to navigate the downturned economy—which has hit the homebuilding market particularly hard.

"As our business needs change we need to trim from various parts of the business at the same time that we're growing in other areas," Roman wrote, "namely online and advertising sales." The company employs 300 people.

Taunton merely is the latest publishing company to cut staff in recent weeks. Penton Media, Reed Business Information and Meredith have all announced job cuts since the beginning of June.