ATLANTA – Approximately 500 positions are expected will be eliminated at Harland Printed Products as a result of the company's plans to reduce the number of its production facilities. Harland Printed Products, a division of John H. Harland Company intends to consolidate its domestic manufacturing operations from 14 to nine, as part of the company's announced reorganization plan. The first plant closing is expected in the first quarter of 2004, and the last one will be in the third quarter of next year. In addition, Harland Printed Products said it will implement sale, general and administrative expense (SG&A) reductions beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003 and continuing throughout 2004. The pre-tax expenses associated with the plant consolidation are estimated to total $16.3 million, a company release stated. The SG&A actions will result in a total estimated expense of $6 million. Harland Printed Products President John Heald attributed the decision on "the efficiencies from digital technology. This, coupled with lower volumes, has created excess capacity in some of our production facilities. Our sophisticated production and mail management systems and centralized customer service operations and systems now enable us to maintain our high level of service from fewer plants."