Moore Buys Former Colortree Printing Plant; Hiring 239 New Workers and Investing $31M

Moore CEO Gretchen Littlefield speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Seated, from the left, are Brian Ball, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Moore Founder and Chairman Jim Moore; and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.

In recent times, there have been far more reports of U.S. printing facility closures than of new plant openings, including the sudden shutdown of Henrico, Va.-based Colortree on June 3, 2019, which displaced approximately 240 workers.

But the 140,000-sq.-ft. former Colortree direct mail printing and envelope manufacturing facility, located just outside of Richmond, will be bustling with activity once again, staffed, in part, by former Colortree workers. That's because Tulsa, Okla.-based Moore (also formerly known as Moore DM Group) has purchased the plant, with intentions to reopen it as Richmond Print Group, a Moore company.

Company leaders, including Moore founder and owner Jim Moore, joined Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and other state and local officials at the Henrico facility on March 4 to commemorate the opening.

Richmond Print Group will produce direct marketing materials, including envelopes, for the nonprofit space, and will bring 239 new full-time jobs to the area. Moore is also investing $31 million to refurbish the building and to acquire state-of-the-art equipment. Individuals interested in employment opportunities at the Richmond Print Group should email their resumes to jobs@richmondprintgroup.com

“With the $31 million investment, we are making a commitment to our industry, employees, and customers that Richmond Print Group will be the most advanced, data-driven facility in the industry,” Gretchen Littlefield, CEO of Moore, said. “We know our investment in technology and people will help our clients fund more of their life-changing work.”

Moore employees gathered to assemble 1,500 care packages for the local USO.

In a followup phone interview, Littlefield — who joined Moore about a year ago after spending 14 years at Infogroup, told Printing Impressions that they are in the process of hiring right now. "Fortunately, the ribbon-cutting ceremony generated a lot of publicity in the community, so we're receiving applications from some former Colortree employees, and some just from people in the community who want a good job."

She added that hiring and training is not included in Moore's $31 million investment in the physical location, and that Moore is partnering with Henrico County officials and a local community college to set up needed training programs.

"It's a story of rebirth — all good things," she pointed out. "It represents an investment in not just the community of Richmond, but in the industry in general." The location of the former Colortree plant, according to Littlefield, was especially attractive to Moore, given that the majority of nonprofits are based in the Washington, DC, area. Moore plans to open a second headquarters location in the Washington area, as well, she revealed.

Moore Is a Multi-Faceted Marketing Solutions Provider

Moore provides services across all aspects of consumer engagement, including strategy, production, digital, media, technology, and fulfillment for nonprofit, association, commercial, and government clients. With annual sales of approximately $700 million, it comprises 33 companies and employs 2,500 people. The Henrico, Va., facility will be joining existing Moore manufacturing plants located in Tulsa, Okla.; Topeka, Kan.; Baltimore; Frederick, Md.; St. Louis; Riverside, Calif.; and Addison, Ill.

Shirley Smith and Jeff Pelcher, members of the Moore board of directors, help pack the care packages.

To celebrate the opening of Richmond Print Group, the company honored their veterans service organization clients by hosting a community service project. Moore employees assembled more than 1,500 care packages that were donated to USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia. The care packages, which included snacks and personal items, will be distributed to traveling service members at the USO center located in Richmond International Airport.

“As committed as we are to our clients, we are equally as committed to giving back to the vibrant communities where we live and work,” Littlefield added. “We’re proud to show our support for the brave men and women of the armed forces who transit this area by the thousands each month. We hope these items provide a touch of home and make their travel a little easier.”

Moore's major investment to reopen the former Colortree print production and envelope manufacturing facility also represents a showing of strong support and of opportunity for the graphic arts industry — especially for those former Colortree plant employees who may be, or already have been, rehired, as well as for other area skilled graphic arts industry workers. And even for those printing industry professionals who may be seeking to relocate for a new job opportunity.