Bindery Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for bindery workers will decline by 2 percent or lower through 2024. Because the binding process is becoming increasingly mechanized, the need for workers to do certain tasks is dwindling. New, automated equipment in binderies can perform a number of operations in sequence, beginning with raw stock at one end of the process and finishing with the final product. These machines shorten production time, increase plant productivity, and reduce overall labor requirements. Furthermore, the entire publishing industry is cutting back on expenses, looking to shave costs however possible. This tends to create a tight market environment for its manufacturing end. Finally, the growing popularity of e-books and other electronic publications is reducing demand for printed products.