Quad to Close Retail Insert Printing Plant in Minnesota; 140 Workers Impacted

Quad recently announced plans to close its Shakopee, Minn., retail advertising insert printing facility on or about Sept. 14, impacting approximately 140 employees. Work performed there will be consolidated into other Quad locations.

Quad had acquired the nearly 170,000-sq.-ft. printing plant — which it now intends to sell — as part of its purchase of Vertis Communications in January 2013. Prior to Vertis, the Shakopee operation has had multiple owners, including American Color and Gannett Publishing since first opening in the early 1980s as Shakopee Valley Printing, a then-privately owned and operated business by the Ken Theis family.

According to a press release issued by Quad to local Twin Cities-area media, "the decision is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to streamline operations and create efficiencies across its U.S. manufacturing platform and help print remain an economically feasible alternative to digital channels.

"The decision in no way reflects the quality and performance of employees in the plant, all of whom have performed well and worked hard to make the plant succeed," the release continued. "Given the continued migration of advertising dollars to digital channels, Quad and the printing industry must continue to take steps to align declining volume with capacity."

Quad indicated that it is proactively assisting Shakopee employees in finding new jobs, including those available at other Quad locations throughout the country. Shakopee staff members will also be able to evaluate transfer opportunities and incentives at a company career fair held the week of Aug. 19.

For those employees who do not continue with the company, Quad added that it is providing a comprehensive separation package that includes severance pay, continuation of health care benefits, and career transition assistance through a career counseling company.

Quad operates 57 plants worldwide and employs more than 20,000 employees worldwide. The majority of its operations are in the U.S., where it operates 49 plants (including the Shakopee location) and employs approximately 18,000 people.