Since 1927, the printery in Brooklyn has produced over one billion books. There is, however, a need to update our older printing and binding equipment, some of which is 44 years old. This older equipment requires more maintenance and manpower to operate. The existing facilities in Brooklyn cannot accommodate the larger, more productive equipment that we need. Therefore, it was determined that the printery operations should be moved to Wallkill where efficient printing, binding, and shipping equipment could be installed.

The consolidation of the U.S. printery operations at Wallkill would not be possible without the recent reorganization of our worldwide production of books. Prior to this reorganization, the United States branch produced almost 50 percent of the books used in our work worldwide. Some book production has been shifted to other branches, making better use of their facilities and leaving the United States with a reduced workload.

As mentioned in the branch letter on the first page of this issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, new bindery equipment will also be installed at Wallkill. The new equipment is capable of producing hardcover books and deluxe Bibles at a rate of 120 a minute. The bindery will be set up with much of the equipment linked together by conveyors, allowing for efficient use of space and personnel.