Quad Shuffles Canadian Operations

SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics is restructuring its Canadian operations, closing a plant in Quebec and shedding more than 300 jobs as it seeks to create a more efficient, flexible manufacturing platform.
The company intends to make an initial $23 million investment in its infrastructure and manufacturing platform within the next year, close the St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu printing plant in Quebec, and refocus the Edmonton, Alberta, facility on serving retail insert and directory clients exclusively.

“We are committed to Canada and are structuring our operations to deliver the best quality on the most efficient and flexible manufacturing platform coast-to-coast and nearest to our customers’ end users,” said Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics chairman, president and CEO.

The company’s planned multimillion-dollar investment will be focused on upgrading equipment to further advance quality and turnaround times, as well as infrastructure improvements. The printer also plans to invest in its people, providing enhanced training for continuous improvement.

In addition, Quad/Graphics is bolstering its cross-media marketing services to help Canadian retailers, publishers and other advertisers extend a consistent brand message across multiple print communication channels, and integrate them with other media, such as the Internet, mobile technologies and digital tablets like the iPad.

Quad expects to cease production at the St. Jean facility by the end of this year. The plant encompasses nearly 240,000 square feet and employs approximately 270 people. Following the closure, Quad will have eight printing plants in Canada: in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Montreal, St. Laurent and LaSalle, Quebec; Aurora and Concord, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Edmonton facility will be dedicated to producing retail inserts and directories, capitalizing on its manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Magazine and other commercial work currently produced there will be transferred to the company’s Aurora, Ontario, facility. As a result, approximately 30 employee positions will be eliminated in Edmonton. PI