Worldcolor Reports Plant Expansion
by Lisa Cross, Senior Editor — Graphic Arts Online
Worldcolor, officially announced it will expand of its printing facility in Franklin, KY, investing more than $9.7 million and adding 135 full-time jobs. Worldcolor received initial approval for tax incentives up to $1.95 million in March. The incentive can be earned over a 10-year period through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments.
The 460,000-sq.ft. Franklin facility, which currently employs 425 people, will be expanded by 105,000 sq.ft. Worldcolor will add binding machines and upgrade selected presses to position the site for a significant increase in customer print volume to service magazine and catalog customers.
“We are very pleased to make this significant investment in our Franklin facility to serve our magazine and catalog customers,” says Brian Freschi, president of Worldcolor North America. “The addition of the new binding equipment and enhanced presses will provide our customers with the latest technology and will be operated by proven and experienced print professionals.”
The expansion follows several announcements of plant closings. The company is shuttering magazine and catalog printing operation in Dyersburg, TN; an operation in Carroll, IA; a direct-mail printing plant in Oberlin, OH; a plant in Bromont, QB; and a catalog and in-line direct mail plant in Richmond, ON.
Worldcolor will be acquired by Quad/Graphics this summer. The deal has cleared antitrust regulatory requirements in the U.S. and Canada.
