Effingham, IL

MONTREAL—Looking to get the most out of its equipment resources, Quebecor World announced that select equipment at its Kingsport, TN, book manufacturing facility would be decommissioned or redeployed to other locations. The remaining Kingsport assets will be refocused and specialized to better service the customer base, the company said in a release. The moves will spell the loss of 450 positions in Kingsport, though Quebecor World expects about 280 jobs to be recreated at other U.S. book facilities once the equipment has been relocated. Those employees whose positions are being eliminated were encouraged to apply for the transplanted jobs or for other positions in the Quebecor

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor In America's heartland, where people traditionally possess conservative values, a solid work ethic is everything in business, particularly in the manufacturing sector. This is especially true at Kingery Printing, the pride of Effingham, IL, where ethics, strong values and pride in craftsmanship reign supreme. "I was talking to another printer who's located in Chicago one time," begins John Kingery, president and founder of the southern Illinois-based sheetfed and web printing company. "I was complaining that about three out of four people hired turn out to be good employees. His response was, 'You're lucky; here in Chicago, there's only one

MONTREAL—The U.S. magazine platform of Quebecor World suffered a devastating blow with the announcement that its Effingham, IL, printing facility would be closed by year's end. The move will result in the loss of about 600 jobs. According to a company press release, select equipment from the 570,000-square-foot Effingham plant will be relocated throughout the Quebecor World magazine plant network. About 200 jobs will be recreated once the relocation initiative is finished. The company felt the move was necessary to be able to "maintain its leadership in the increasingly competitive North American print market." The announcement was the first step in a "significant reorganization" of the

Bindery workers at Quebecor World's Effingham, IL, plant will not reconsider the company's final contract offer, according to the Effingham Daily News. There are approximately 400 union bindery workers at the plant. Quebecor World management says it has growing concerns about the future viability of the plant because of the competitive magazine printing market and the high cost structure of the plant. As of presstime, Graphic Communications International Union representatives are moving to request additional meetings. Atlanta-based priNexus Inc. has announced several staff changes. Larry Klotz has been named vice president of sales and national sales manager. For the past 12 years, Klotz has

GREENWICH, CT—Quebecor World announced it has combined its Commercial and Direct Mail groups, creating a gigantic business unit with sales in excess of $1 billion. The combined operations allows Quebecor World to enhance customer service and further facilitate its manufacturing strategy of increased plant specialization and equipment utilization. With the move comes a number of new assignments. They include: Fran Canzano, president of the New England Group (Acme, Universal and Packaging Graphics) will assume additional responsibilities for Northeast Graphics and Infiniti Graphics. The realignment gives the New England Group a broader array of resources and market coverage. Canzano reports directly to Brian Sullivan, president of the

MONTREAL—As Quebecor recreates itself into Quebecor World following the acquisition of World Color, the company finds itself growing in some sectors and pruning itself in others. On one hand, a plant in Illinois is undergoing rapid expansion; on the other hand, a plant in St. Paul, MN, is shutting down. Quebecor World Direct, the direct mail division of the company, is in the midst of creating a Midwest mega-facility in Effingham, IL, (the site of the former Quebecor Petty plant) that officials say will provide a comprehensive offering of direct response products and services in one location. The site will also include a lettershop and

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