Quebecor World Reorganizes Book Platform in United States

MONTREAL—Looking to get the most out of its equipment resources, Quebecor World announced that select equipment at its Kingsport, TN, book manufacturing facility would be decommissioned or redeployed to other locations.

The remaining Kingsport assets will be refocused and specialized to better service the customer base, the company said in a release. The moves will spell the loss of 450 positions in Kingsport, though Quebecor World expects about 280 jobs to be recreated at other U.S. book facilities once the equipment has been relocated.

Those employees whose positions are being eliminated were encouraged to apply for the transplanted jobs or for other positions in the Quebecor World network.

The financially struggling, Stockholm, Sweden-based Quebecor World gravure facility faces an uncertain future. The company has entered into negotiations with its employees' representatives, and a reorganization could spell its closing.

Including the announcement of the Effingham, IL, magazine facility closure in May, Quebecor World will absorb a restructuring charge of about $80 million should the Stockholm plant also close.