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Jon Excell
Editor
The Engineer
An important announcement about the future of The Engineer
Many of you may have heard rumblings over the past few days relating to the future of the print version of The Engineer. I’d like to use this opportunity to address these rumours.
The pressures on print publishing are well known. Increasing distribution and production costs, and the impact of an ongoing economic crisis on advertising revenues, have conspired to create a challenging environment for magazine publishers. At the same time, the rise of the internet — with its global reach, low production costs and unfulfilled commercial potential — presents some truly exciting opportunities.
Against this backdrop, the owner of The Engineer, Centaur Media, is proposing to close to the print version of the publication and focus all of The Engineer’s editorial and commercial resources on growing the website and other digital products. It is proposed that the 16 July issue will be the last in print.
It’s hard to know what our Victorian forbears would make of the proposal to close the magazine. Some would certainly be horrified. Others might well be astonished to know that a publication launched more than a century and half ago is still in existence. But none would have anticipated the rise of the internet — a technological development every bit as disruptive as the invention of the automobile or the aircraft.
Since the relaunch of its website at the end of 2009, The Engineer has undergone perhaps the most striking evolution in its long history. We have been able to extend our reach far beyond that of the magazine, seed daily debate on the key issues, bring our subject matter to life with video and break and analyse news in a way that’s simply not possible within the constraints of a fortnightly magazine.
Clearly this will be unwelcome news for many — If not all — of our print readers. Indeed, given the hard work we’ve put into the magazine, we’d be disappointed if its proposed closure were met with indifference.
But The Engineer will live on and, we believe, continue to grow. We have big plans for the website, including making more of our vast and fascinating historical archive, building on our news and in-depth coverage and expanding our video content. And for those who like their content with a cover and a contents page, we’re launching a monthly digital version of The Engineer that can be read on a host of mobile devices.
Finally, I’d like to reassure all of our readers that the editorial team of The Engineer remains dedicated to maintaining the high journalistic standards and spirit of enquiry that have been at the heart of this important publication since its launch in 1856.
Watch this space for more details on our future strategy.
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Readers' comments (223)
Jim | 10 Jul 2012 3:29 pm
I much prefer the written edition and am sad to see this institution go
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Tim Chapman | 10 Jul 2012 3:30 pm
I carried out a media survey with managers from manufacturing and engineering firms attending a forum at the University of Sheffield AMRC just last week.
The Engineer was the most popular trade magazine, read by over 60% of respondents.
However, 59% who expressed a preference said they preferred to read detailed information on paper rather than on screen. And over 40% don't use a smartphone or tablet computer.
I'd be curious as to what research Centaur did among its audience, and what the results were.
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ChrisM | 10 Jul 2012 3:31 pm
Keeping up with the times/technology,I suppose. RIP printed version... but what about a Kindle edition? Is that available yet?
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Steve Whiteley | 10 Jul 2012 3:35 pm
Since I retired about 18 years ago I have only read the web version. With the printed version I read it cover to cover. The web version is used to read a specific article. I don't browse. Are you able to publish any facts ? How many copies were bought on subscription? how many sold over the counter? how many on-line readers from emails? how many read by casual browsers?
A number of comments refer to a Kindle version to which you have yet to respond.
Are you going to charge for the web version now?
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David Collier | 10 Jul 2012 3:39 pm
Not just a blow to those who prefer paper or simply do not have access to internet / smart device technology....the paper producing industry will bear some of the brunt too. Paper is still a relevant medium for the engineering community, which (not wishing to insult) is an aging community with not enough new entrants.
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David Thompson | 10 Jul 2012 3:40 pm
I too will be very sad to see it go. Hard copy has the benefit of needing no net access or power supply, so it can be read as easily at 35,000 feet as at ground level, and is infinitely easier to pin to a notice board. Having had another publication take this step two years ago, I can say from experience that the on-line magaxzine style positively dissuades the reader from continuing.
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Anonymous | 10 Jul 2012 3:46 pm
Why not still publish a Glossy Annual round up of the years engiineering technological breakthoughs, commentary events and highlights?
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Editor's comments | 10 Jul 2012 3:46 pm
Great idea - indeed, lots of good suggestions from all of our readers. Please keep them coming, and I will attempt to address some of the key recurring concerns in a separate article.
Anonymous | 10 Jul 2012 4:01 pm
I suspect that I am at the younger end of the readership and I think it is a mistake to get rid of the print version. I spend so much time in front of a computer and/or other screen device that to take time out with a paper copy is very relaxing.
I do some of my best thinking in the bath reading my Engineer. Sad but true!
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Paul Reeves | 10 Jul 2012 4:13 pm
I will miss the printed version a bit - although not having a collection of back copies to store will be a boon.
I think in 5 or 10 years IPads/tablets will be common enough, so Good luck with the new venture
I think peoples idea of having a .pdf copy is worth while though - as I think more thought goes into magazine layout and it is often easier to find articles. Having a better (or at least discoverable) index, by date, topic and not just relying on search would be an advantage.
What Develop3D is good in that respect - but please don't go their way of uncritically high lighting sustainability in the way they do - that would be a poor legacy to the original Engineers back in the 17/18OOs.
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Editor's comments | 10 Jul 2012 4:13 pm
1700s? We're not that old!
Matthew Cleere | 10 Jul 2012 4:15 pm
As someone who works in the print industry, I can only say that I feel this is short-sighted, as the relationship between print media and web presence is only just beginning to evolve into what will no doubt be a permanent symbiosis.
As a technology magazine, it is disappointing that you will not be able to pioneer this field once you have shut up shop.
Personally I grab the Engineer hard-copy for those moments where the electronic copy just isn't suitable, and will be very sad to see a great publication fall by the wayside
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