Quad to Close Waukee, Iowa, Printing Facility.

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Quad to Close Waukee, Iowa, Printing Facility.
Quad has announced the closure of its directory printing operation in Waukee, Iowa, which will affect 88 employees, effective January 10, 2025. This decision comes as no surprise given the significant impact of digital alternatives on printed directories.

In a statement, Quad explained, “Demand for printed directories has faced sustained pressure due to shifts in how information is accessed, particularly online and via mobile devices. This has resulted in declining directory volumes, smaller page counts, and reduced print runs. Closing the plant is part of our strategy to consolidate operations and enhance efficiency across our production facilities.”

The work currently done at the 120,000-square-foot Waukee plant will be transferred to Quad’s Sussex, Wisconsin facility, which also produces directories along with catalogs, magazines, and retail inserts.

Quad plans to sell the Waukee building, located in the rapidly growing suburb of Des Moines, which has a population exceeding 24,000.

**Support for Displaced Workers**
Quad has stated that full-time employees in Waukee who are part of the PPPWU (Printing Packaging & Production Workers Union of North America) will receive severance pay under a collective bargaining agreement. The company intends to meet with union representatives soon to discuss the closure’s implications.

Full-time employees not covered by the agreement will receive a separation package that includes pay, continued healthcare benefits, and career transition assistance.

**Background on Waukee Operations**
The Waukee facility was originally part of Quad’s acquisition of Worldcolor in July 2010, a deal valued at approximately $1.4 billion. This acquisition positioned Quad as the second-largest commercial printing company, as noted on the Printing Impressions 400 list.

As of December 31, 2023, Quad operates around 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities globally and employs approximately 13,000 people, with around 30 printing plants in the U.S.

Recently, Quad also sold its former Saratoga Springs, New York printing plant for $41 million and is in the process of selling most of its European operations for an estimated $45 million to Munich-based Capmont GmbH, with the deal expected to close by the end of 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

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October 31, 2024 at 2:50 PM