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.[3]
 | |
.jpg) Wall display of works published by Friesens at the company's headquarters | |
| Company type | Private (employee-owned) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printing |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Founder | David W. Friesen |
| Headquarters | , Canada |
Area served | North America |
Key people | Chad Friesen, president and chief executive officer Curwin Friesen, chairman of the board |
| Products | Books, Yearbooks, Self-publishing, Consumer Packaging |
| Revenue | CAD$96,000,000 (2019)  10% from 2018 |
Number of employees | 600 |
| Divisions | Friesens Book Division, Friesens Yearbooks, Friesens Packaging, FriesenPress |
| Website | www.friesens.com |
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[4]
- 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.[5]
- 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®[6] a revolutionary and patented three-dimensional book cover and packaging technology; Friesens launches FriesenPress[2] 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.[7] In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada.[8]
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. As of 2021[update], its team of over 55 employees and 100 freelancers have partnered with thousands of authors on self-publishing over 7,000 book titles.[3][9][10] It is the largest company of its kind in Canada.[11]
In March 2021, the company shifted its headquarters to Altona, Manitoba and became a fully remote organization.[9]
Awards
- In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award.[12]
- In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40".[13]