Friesens Explained

Friesens Corporation
Type:	Private (employee-owned)
Founder:	David W. Friesen
Area Served:	North America
Key People:	Chad Friesen, president and chief executive officer Curwin Friesen, chairman of the board
Industry:	Printing
Products:	Books, Yearbooks, Self-publishing, Consumer Packaging
Revenue:	CAD$96,000,000 (2019) 10% from 2018
Num Employees:	600
Divisions:	Friesens Book Division, Friesens Yearbooks, Friesens Packaging, FriesenPress
Foundation:	1907
Location City:	Altona, Manitoba
Location Country:	Canada
Homepage:	www.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.

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^[3]
• 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.^[4]
  • 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®^[5] a revolutionary and patented three-dimensional book cover and packaging technology; Friesens launches FriesenPress 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.^[6] In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada.^[7]

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., its team of over 55 employees and 100 freelancers have partnered with thousands of authors on self-publishing over 7,000 book titles.^{[8] [9]} It is the largest company of its kind in Canada.^[10]

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

Awards

• In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award.^[11]
• In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40".^[12]

External links

• Friesens Corporation

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Economy . 2008-08-19.
2. Web site: FriesenPress Self-Publish Your Book in Canada. 2021-06-22. FriesenPress. en-US.
3. Web site: Our Past . 2008-08-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080509174010/http://www.friesens.com/Corporate/History.asp . May 9, 2008 .
4. News: 2000-07-12. Potter book flies off shelves. CBC News. 2008-08-19.
5. Web site: think4D Produces Packaging with Maximum Shelf Impact. 2021-06-22. www.think-4d.com.
6. Web site: 2007 Requalified members . https://web.archive.org/web/20140618225035/http://www.canadas50best.com/en/meetourwinners/pages/requal.aspx . dead . 2014-06-18 . 2008-08-19 .
7. Web site: The Printing Impressions 400 (pdf) . 2008-08-19.
8. News: St. Germain. Pat. 2021-06-03. Making an imprint. The National Post. 2021-11-30.
9. Web site: FriesenPress. Canada's Largest Publishing Services Provider Turns 10. 2021-11-30. FriesenPress. en-US.
10. News: Gee. Dana. 2021-07-23. Booming self-publishing puts more voices out in the world. The Vancouver Sun. 2021-11-30.
11. Web site: Management Plus Awards Winners 2004 . 2008-08-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080226024700/http://www.napl.org/news.pressdetail.aspx?PressId=305 . 2008-02-26 . dead .
12. Web site: 2004 Recipients . 2008-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080403005305/http://www.top40award-canada.org/award/old/2004.shtml . 2008-04-03 . dead .