Quad/Graphics

The 30 percent of voters who think Barnes & Noble (owner of the Nook tablet platform) will go bankrupt this year is well ahead of the number voting for Quad/Graphics (23 percent; printing presses), the U.S. Postal Service (22 percent), and Verso (paper mills, 20 percent).

Financial markets seem to have pegged Verso as the most likely to succumb among the three private companies. Its market value has dropped precipitously in the past year, to 84 percent below its peak and less than 1/30th of annual revenue. B&N and Quad both have market values of about 1/10th their annual sales.

ATGLEN, PA—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited “QG LLC” (Quad/Graphics, formerly World Color) for eight serious violations of the process safety management standards at its facility here in response to an employee complaint. Proposed penalties total $54,000.

Quad/Graphics considered giving its shuttered printing plant to the village, but Mount Morris (IL) simply cannot afford such a gift, Village President Greg Unger said Tuesday. “They would like to get rid of the entire property,” Unger said. “There’s been discussion of giving the property to the village as a tax write-off. [But] we don’t have the money, no matter how neat that would be.”

The plant has been listed for sale with Jones Lang LaSalle, Chicago, Quad/Graphics spokesman Claire Ho said. Quad/Graphics officially ceased operations in Mount Morris on May 13. It’s in the process of disposing of the presses

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited “QG LLC” (Quad/Graphics, formerly World Color) for eight serious violations of the process safety management standards at its facility in Atglen, PA, in response to an employee complaint. Proposed penalties total $54,000.

Commercial printing industry news briefs, including items Vertis, Quad/Graphics, Digital Pre-Press International, Pemcor Printing, RR Donnelley, PrintComm, Goss and Neenah Paper.

Tempt In-Store Productions, a Quad/Graphics company, announced it has completed the finishing touches on its new 100,000-sq.-ft. in-store marketing display and signage center. The company’s multimillion-dollar investment in new presses and supporting personnel and capabilities reflects a total commitment to industry leadership, innovation and customized solutions

Quad/Graphics Inc. plans to invest nearly $1.77 million in its Midland (MI) facility and hire 25 new employees within two years. The new investment will be in incremental presses, finishing equipment, automation and building renovations. The new jobs will be mostly hourly workers who will help meet the needs of a new customer, said Jim Houvener, Midland plant director.

On Monday, the Midland City Council approved a 12-year tax exemption to support the project. During the 12 years, taxing authorities are still expected to received $88,343 in additional taxes from the project, with $41,440 of that going to the city.

SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics Inc. has signed a multiyear agreement with Minneapolis-based Bluestem Brands, best known for its growing Fingerhut and Gettington.com properties. The agreement, which will exceed $135 million over the contract term, covers all printing, paper procurement, premedia and page layout and production services, as well as all product photography and video content creation services.

The agreement between Quad and Bluestem, which will exceed $135 million over the contract term, covers all printing, paper procurement, premedia and page layout and production services, as well as all product photography and video content creation services. Fingerhut and Gettington.com are Bluestem Brands best known brands.

There was some good news for magazine publishers this year, as advertising sales levels 
began to rebound. Looking at the catalog segment, there is no evidence of the printed catalog disappearing any time soon. A key focus for publishers and catalogers is how to continue to leverage their multi-channel marketing strategies.