“The important acquisition of the Canadian assets of Quad/Graphics is a milestone in our development as it strengthens our position as the leading printer in the country and allows us to leverage the major investments we have made to our printing platform over the last several years,” said François Olivier, Transcontinental president and CEO.
Quad’s net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $1.31 billion, down from $1.39 billion for the same period in 2010. It recorded a net loss of $6.8 million for the quarter, compared to net earnings of $26.5 million in the four quarter of 2010.
Quad/Graphics Inc. will become the exclusive printer of retail inserts for Rite Aid Corp. under a new multiyear agreement that also includes producing digital online editions of Rite Aid’s weekly newspaper circular promotions. Quad’s technology and innovation provided a compelling business case for an expanded relationship, said Jim Pilsner, Rite Aid’s vice president of advertising.
DICKSON, TN—A second round of layoffs is taking place at the Quad/Graphics facility here, according to The Dickson Herald. Sixty workers were let go in January, and another 50 were to be released by the end of this month. However, the final February layoff total is 15 less than what the company had previously planned.
Bethlam Forsa, executive vice president, content development and publishing operations at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, will kick off the 2012 Digital Book Printing Forum with the opening keynote address. Following that address, INTERQUEST will present key results from recent research it has conducted in digital book printing sector.
Quad/Graphics laid off 60 employees in January and by Feb. 29 is scheduled to complete another 50—about 15 (people) less than what the company had previously anticipated it was letting go. The Dickson (TN) plant, once called Worldcolor, prints books and publications such as such as USA Weekend.
“As work transitions out, there will be more adjustments,” said Quad/Graphics Director of Corporate Communications Claire Ho, referring to possible future layoffs. “But the bulk of job reductions will be complete by the end of this month.”
Previously, the union mandated that the “least seniority” employees be laid off.
SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics Inc. has purchased Dallas-based Williamson Printing, a full-service commercial and specialty products printer specializing in short- to medium-run catalogs, case-bound books, direct mail and other promotional products. The acquisition expands Quad’s U.S. network of commercial and specialty printing facilities to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, home to one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the United States.
Williamson’s two Dallas facilities will join Quad/Graphics’ Commercial & Specialty group. Jesse Williamson, president of Williamson Printing, will continue in his leadership role with the new QuadWilliamson. “Through strategic investments in technology and capabilities, we’re building a more complete, innovative and cost-effective platform for our clients.”
Quad/Graphics Inc. has purchased Dallas-based Williamson Printing, a full-service commercial and specialty products printer specializing in short- to medium-run catalogs, case-bound books, direct mail and other promotional products.
Out of 743 voters, only 158 (21 percent) chose “None of the above” on the question of which four print-dependent U.S. companies would go belly up in 2012. Leading the pack was Barnes & Noble, with 227 votes—which still means that 70 percent of the voters think it won’t go bankrupt this year.
With 161 votes (21 percent), Quad/Graphics edged out Verso Paper (157 votes; 21 percent) for second place, with the U.S. Postal Service not far behind at 153 votes (20 percent).
Despite being voted most likely to succumb, B&N’s stock price is up 4 percent since the poll was announced
