Dundee University Press (DUP) has insisted it is looking to the future, despite having to make its staff redundant.
The company publishes a range of academic and specialist books on topics such as law, history and life sciences. Its most recent title, a history of local investment company Alliance Trust, was officially launched last week.
DUP’s latest accounts, for the year to July 2012, show it lost almost £25,000 on a turnover of £134,000, and that both employees had been issued with redundancy notices. Salaries accounted for £51,000 of its costs.
The accounts also state there is an understanding the company will continue to be supported by the university, its ultimate parent company.
A Dundee University Press spokesman said: “Like many other businesses in the current financial climate, DUP has had to look at ways in which it can reduce its costs in order to secure its position into the future.
“In 2012 DUP engaged in a lengthy consultation period with staff that resulted in a company restructure and the redundancy of two members of staff. We very much regret having had to take this step.
“Although DUP is a separate company from the university, supplementary support for DUP’s operations has from its foundation been provided by staff from within the university.
“This will continue, with the company’s printing and publishing operations being carried out by a team of freelance editors, typesetters, designers and printers on a project basis.”
The spokesman said the company remained committed to publishing books of the highest quality.
It would not only honour current publishing commitments to its authors but would seek to develop its list further, he added.
“We are constantly on the lookout for new publishing ideas and will continue to be so in the coming months,” the spokesman said.
DUP has already published several new titles this year including a legal text for students.
Forthcoming books include its first poetry anthology, Whaleback City Poetry from Dundee and its Hinterlands, and Scotland’s Future, an examination of the nation’s economic prospects were it to become independent.