Quad/Graphics Reveals Plans for New East Coast Digital 'Supercenter'

Tim Ohnmacht

SUSSEX, Wis. — December 1, 2016 — Quad/Graphics has revealed plans to transform its Westampton, N.J., direct marketing production facility into what it's calling a "Digital Print Supercenter that will establish a new standard for personalized, high-response direct marketing solutions."

At the center of the newest Supercenter expansion will be the installation of two new HP Indigo 12000 digital presses, upgraded inkjet personalization technology on its offset presses and two new high-speed letter inserters to enhance the facility's lettershop operations. The full-service Westampton operation will also continue to offer warehousing, kit packing, fulfillment and distribution services. The company says the project, including infrastructure upgrades, should be complete by May 2017.

Quad/Graphics spokesperson Claire Ho revealed to Printing Impressions that the Westampton direct mail Supercenter comprises 160,000 sq. ft., and that a nearby 85,000-sq.-ft. facility is ready for future expansion.

The East Coast Digital Supercenter complements Quad’s existing Midwest Digital Print Supercenter in Pewaukee, Wis., which will also add an HP Indigo 12000 digital press before year’s end; and Quad’s Effingham, Ill., direct mail production facility, which recently expanded its personalization capabilities with HP C800 four-color variable inkjet print modules that are consistent with what are in operation at Quad's Pewaukee, Wis., and Chalfont, Pa., production facilities.

The continued expansion of digital print production capabilities at these plants bolsters Quad’s overall direct marketing platform. “The pace of improvements in digital print technology is exceedingly fast, and we are at the forefront of using this leading-edge technology so that we continue to create the most value for our clients,” said Tim Ohnmacht, Quad/Graphics' president of Marketing Solutions.

This latest expansion news follows the Oct. 27 announcement of a multimillion-dollar investment at Quad's renamed QuadWilliamson Dallas plant — that it acquired from past Printing Impressions/RIT Hall of Fame inductees Jerry and Jesse Williamson in 2012 — which has also been turned into a digital hub. The Dallas investment included the installation of a Fuji J Press cutsheet inkjet press, a Kodak NexPress digital press, a Standard Horizon StitchLiner 5500 saddle stitching system and two fully automated Standard Horizon perfect binders, as well as a folder, cutter and shrink wrapper. Kit packing and fulfillment solutions were also improved.

As the transformation moves forward and business grows, Quad/Graphics officials indicated that the QuadWilliamson plant has near-term needs for sales and customer service employees, digital printing technicians, account managers and press operators. More positions will likely be added over the coming year.

Quad/Graphics' Dallas facility customers include Neiman Marcus, Toyota and J. Hilburn, as well as other companies in retail, travel and hospitality, fast casual restaurants and automotive manufacturing.

These various investments within the Quad/Graphics network illustrate our continued industry migration to digital and hybrid printing platforms in general, and especially to increased customer demands for highly relevant and hyperpersonalized, full-color pieces within the direct mail space.