Vicens Vives Announces Mass Layoffs and Instar Closure Under Sanoma

The Finnish media group Sanoma is restructuring its newly acquired Spanish publisher, Vicens Vives, through a major workforce reduction. The company has initiated an Expediente de Regulación de Empleo (ERE) to dismiss up to 122 employees, representing nearly half of its 250-person workforce. Additionally, Vicens Vives plans to close Gráficas Instar, its printing subsidiary, resulting in the termination of 21 additional jobs via a separate ERE Source: La Vanguardia.

Strategic Shift

These measures follow Sanoma’s acquisition of Vicens Vives in April 2026. The parent company aims to concentrate resources on the core educational publishing business, citing insufficient results from previous cost-cutting initiatives amid a competitive market Source: El Confidencial. The editorial states that this transformation is necessary to ensure long-term viability and align the organization with current business needs Source: El Confidencial.

Financial Context

The restructuring addresses significant financial challenges inherited by the historic Catalan publisher. Vicens Vives accumulated approximately €30 million in debt during the pandemic and suffered from failed investments Source: La Vanguardia. This marks the second major layoff event for the company; it previously reduced its workforce by 10% in 2023 Source: El Confidencial.

Impact and Reaction

While the company describes the decision as "difficult," the impact on employment will be significant. Negotiations with workers are set to begin shortly. Despite the cuts, Vicens Vives maintains that its commitment to educational rigor and cultural values remains intact, aiming to sustain its position as a sector reference Source: El Confidencial.