Thomas Quadracci

Stitcher Installation a First in the States HARTFORD, WI—This month, Quad/Graphics will become the first printer in the United States to install a high-performance Muller Martini Supra saddlestitching system. The Supra will be located at the Quad/Graphics printing center located here. Featuring a newly developed and highly advanced pocket wheel feeder, the new Supra stitcher, shown to the public for the first time at Drupa 2004, offers production speeds of up to 30,000 cycles per hour. Quad's Supra is rated at 25,000 cycles with the new 416 feeder. "Our finishing operations are characterized not just by speed, but by flexibility and efficiency," explains Thomas Quadracci, Quad/Graphics

By far, the biggest development in the publication and catalog printing sectors has been the dramatic upswing in capital investment. In some cases the same equipment is slated to serve both markets, while other machines are going into plants dedicated to one or the other application. The ranks of multiple web press purchasers includes the likes of Perry Judd's and Trend Offset Printing, but vying for the title of biggest spender are Quebecor World (22 presses) and Quad/Graphics ($200+ million for a range of equipment). Dave Boles, COO, North America, at Quebecor World, and Thomas Quadracci, president and CEO of Quad/Graphics, were kind enough to

SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics has reached an agreement with FedEx to sell its Parcel Direct division to the overnight delivery specialist for $120 million in cash. The deal is pending regulatory approval and legal conditions being met. Parcel Direct has an employee base of 450 in 12 distribution centers nationwide. It generated $250 million in sales for 2003. "In six years, we have grown Parcel Direct from a tiny upstart into a leading parcel expeditor and now we are pleased that a premier company like FedEx will build on our record growth," notes Thomas Quadracci, Quad/Graphics president and CEO. "Our companies share similar business values, especially our commitment

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—While attending Drupa 2004, Quad/Graphics committed to purchasing a total of 10 64-page web presses from exhibiting press manufacturers Heidelberg and MAN Roland. Specifically on order, at an aggregate value of $150 million, are eight Heidelberg 3000/32 double-web presses and two MAN Roland Lithoman double-web presses. Both models boast a 64-page format, making them particularly well suited for high-speed, high-quality magazine and catalog production. "Efficiency and flexibility are mission critical to meeting our clients' needs," says Thomas Quadracci, Quad/Graphics president and CEO. "We're confident that the 64-page presses' ability to double output, while reducing makereadies, will meet our productivity requirements going forward and further

PEWAUKEE, WI—Quad/Graphics, based here, has begun construction on a new printing facility in Oklahoma City. Initially, Quad/Graphics will install two web offset presses—an eight-unit Heidelberg and an eight-unit MAN Roland—as well as saddle stitching equipment. When gravure operations begin in 2005, Quad's Oklahoma City plant will feature Italian-made Cerutti gravure presses. The presses will be equipped with full automation, from cylinder loading through signature delivery, including computerized process-control systems by QTI, Quad/Graphics' R&D subsidiary. "Quad/Oklahoma will feature a manufacturing platform engineered for nimbleness," reports Thomas Quadracci, president and CEO. "We're constructing and equipping the plant to rapidly adapt to changing client needs in terms of geo-demographics, targeted

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