|
Montreal, February 20, 2008 – Transcontinental
today announced plans to invest $60 million in state
of the art equipment at its Transcontinental Transmag newspaper
printing facility in Montreal. When completed in 2009, the
printing plant, which mainly produces daily and weekly newspapers
and specialty publications, will be one of the most modern
in the world.
Transcontinental clients will have the option to include
100% colour pages on every page of a publication, a capability
upon which growth in the newspaper industry is largely based.
In addition to this, clients will benefit from improved production
quality and efficiencies, which means top quality printed
products can be produced within tighter timelines.
“This investment of $60 million is part of our
strategy to become North America’s leader in newspaper
printing outsourcing,” said François Olivier,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Transcontinental. “It
demonstrates that we remain in a solid position for growth,
and we have the financial resources to maintain our commitment
to development over the long term by anticipating the new
needs of our customers and meeting them quickly. Over the
past five years, Transcontinental has invested approximately
$250 million in its printing facilities in the Montreal
region alone.”
“Transcontinental Media will also benefit, as around
40 of our community newspapers, as well as the business newspaper
Les Affaires and Métro Montreal,
our free daily paper, are printed at Transcontinental Transmag,”
Mr. Olivier added. “As Transcontinental Media’s
renowned brands continue to set the standard of excellence
in published products, this will further facilitate the extension
of its brand success across the digital platform.”
To transform itself into one of the most modern newspaper
printing facilities in the world, Transcontinental Transmag
will acquire a MAN Roland CIC 8 web press with full colour
capacity, as well as a new ultra violet (UV) dryer, a process
never before used in North America. In order to accommodate
the new press and peripheral equipment, the facility will
be expanded to 145,000 sq. feet from its current size of 80,000
sq. feet.
About Transcontinental
The largest printer in Canada and sixth-largest
in North America, Transcontinental is also the country’s
leading publisher of consumer magazines and French-language
educational resources, and its second-largest community newspaper
publisher. Transcontinental distinguishes itself by creating
strategic partnerships that integrate the company into its
customers’ value chain, notably through its unique newspaper
printing outsourcing model and its value-added services. From
mass to highly personalized marketing, the company offers
its clients integrated solutions which include a continent-leading
direct marketing offering, a diverse digital platform and
a door-to-door advertising material distribution network.
Transcontinental is a company whose values, including respect,
innovation and integrity, are central to its operation.
Transcontinental (TSX: TCL.A, TCL.B) has approximately 15,000
employees in Canada, the United States and Mexico, and reported
revenues of C$2.3 billion in 2007.
-30-
For information:
Media
Nessa Prendergast
Director, Media Relations
Transcontinental Inc.
Telephone: (514) 954 2809
nessa.prendergast@transcontinental.ca
Financial Community
Jennifer F. McCaughey
Director, Investor Relations
Transcontinental Inc.
Telephone: (514) 954 2821
jennifer.mccaughey@transcontinental.ca |
