Friesens Corporation
TypePrivate (employee-owned)
IndustryPrinting
Founded1907
FounderDavid W. Friesen
Headquarters
Altona, Manitoba
,
Canada
Area served
North America
Key people
Chad Friesen, president and chief executive officer
Curwin Friesen, chairman of the board
ProductsBooks, Yearbooks, Self-publishing, Consumer Packaging
RevenueCAD$96,000,000 (2019) Increase 10% from 2018
Number of employees
600
DivisionsFriesens Book Division, Friesens Yearbooks, Friesens Packaging, FriesenPress
Websitewww.friesens.com

Friesens Corporation is Canada's largest printer of hardcover books.[1] They are employee-owned, specializing in hardcover books and yearbooks, and located in Altona, Manitoba, Canada. Friesens also operates a self-publishing subsidiary named FriesenPress,[2] launched in 2009.[3]

History

  • Friesens was founded by David W. Friesen in 1907 as a confectionery store.
  • In 1933, the family purchased a printing press
  • In 1941 launched weekly Altona Echo newspaper later amalgamating with the Morris Herald into the Red River Valley Echo.
  • In 1950 incorporated as D.W. Friesen & Sons Inc,.
  • In 1959 built new 16,500 sq. ft. plant. Purchased first offset press
  • In 1960 began employee profit sharing and post secondary scholarships for employees' children
  • In 1965 started selling school yearbooks in Manitoba and Saskatchewan[4]
  • In 1970 launched Business Machines division
  • In 1971 purchased ACME Box Company. Expanded main plant by 12,000 sq ft.
  • In 1973 expanded school yearbook force
  • In 1976 D.W. Friesen & Sons changes to Friesens
  • In 1978 printed first four-colour book
  • In 1987 purchased four colour presses
  • In 1990 started Graphic Arts course at Red River Community College
  • In 1999 Friesens Fast Print and Packaging Division relocated. Started selling school graduation supplies.
  • In 2000, Friesens printed the Canadian run of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, producing 400,000 copies of the book.[5]
  • In 2002 printed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling
  • In 2004 Friesens landmark printing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on 100% post consumer waste led author J.K. Rowling to insist all future Harry Potter books worldwide be printed "tree-free"
  • In 2008 built North America's most advanced and eco-friendly 130,000 sq. ft. book manufacturing plant.
  • In 2009 Friesens purchased think4D®[6] a revolutionary and patented three-dimensional book cover and packaging technology; Friesens launches FriesenPress[2] for self-publishing authors;
  • In 2010 Friesens designed and printed American Idol: Back Story and Season 9 Highlights; Designed and printed school yearbooks appearing on the television series, Glee
  • In 2015 Friesens install an 8-colour, format 8, R900 HiPrint XXL perfecting press from Manroland that provides for an imposition of up to 64 pages, printed both sides, in one pass. Successfully completed a shift in the employee-ownership model.
  • In 2016 printed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  • In 2017 celebrated 110 years in business with a corporate and community celebration

Current operations

Friesens is Canada's largest printer of hardcover books.[1] Furthermore, it has been rated as one of Canada's best 50 managed companies by Deloitte and Touche on several occasions.[7] In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada.[8]

FriesenPress

On July 13, 2009, Friesens Corporation launched a self-publishing subsidiary called FriesenPress.

FriesenPress offers editing, design, distribution, and promotional support services to assist authors with self-publishing their books. As of 2021, its team of over 55 employees and 100 freelancers have partnered with thousands of authors on self-publishing over 7,000 book titles.[3][9][10] It is the largest company of its kind in Canada.[11]

In March 2021, the company shifted its headquarters to Altona, Manitoba and became a fully remote organization.[9]

Awards

  • In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award.[12]
  • In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40".[13]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Economy". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  2. 1 2 "FriesenPress | Self-Publish Your Book in Canada". FriesenPress. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  3. 1 2 www.friesenpress.com/about-us
  4. ↑ "Our Past". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  5. ↑ "Potter book flies off shelves". CBC News. 2000-07-12. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  6. ↑ "think4D Produces Packaging with Maximum Shelf Impact". www.think-4d.com. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  7. ↑ "2007 Requalified members". Archived from the original on 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  8. ↑ "The Printing Impressions 400 (pdf)". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  9. 1 2 St. Germain, Pat (2021-06-03). "Making an imprint". The National Post. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  10. ↑ FriesenPress. "Canada's Largest Publishing Services Provider Turns 10". FriesenPress. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  11. ↑ Gee, Dana (2021-07-23). "Booming self-publishing puts more voices out in the world". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  12. ↑ "Management Plus Awards Winners 2004". Archived from the original on 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  13. ↑ "2004 Recipients". Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
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