Quad (company)

Last updated
Quad
Company type Public
NYSE:  QUAD (Class A)
Russell 2000 Component
IndustryMarketing & Advertising, Manufacturing
Founded1971
Founder Harry V. Quadracci
Headquarters Sussex, Wisconsin, United States
Key people
Joel Quadracci, President and CEO
ServicesBranding, analytics, content production, signage, packaging, printing
Revenue$2.9 billion USD [1] (2020)
Number of employees
15,800 [1]  (2020)
Website quad.com

Quad, formerly named Quad/Graphics, is an American marketing services and commercial printing company headquartered in Sussex, Wisconsin. [2] [3] Services provided include copywriting, design, data analytics, technology consulting, and managed services.

Contents

Harry V. Quadracci founded Quad on July 13, 1971, as a privately owned printing company. In 2023, Quad had more than 13,000 employees around the world. They serve around 2,900 clients with around 43 manufacturing and distribution facilities and over 70 client-based on-site locations. [4]

Quad’s initial public offering was on July 6, 2010. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol QUAD. The company reported $3.2 billion in net sales in 2022.

History

Founding and first national contracts

Harry V. Quadracci founded Quad, originally named Quad/Graphics, on July 13, 1971, in an abandoned Pewaukee, Wisconsin, factory. [5] [6] [7] He raised the funds to establish the printing company, in part, by taking out a $35,000 second mortgage on his house, and began with 11 employees. [7] [6] Some of the company's first contracts were with Investor magazine and the national Fishing Facts magazine. [7] By 1973, Quad had 25 employees and $2.8 million in sales. [8]

In 1973, Quad founded its first division, Duplainville Transport. [9] [8] It continues to operate as Quad’s trucking division. [10] Over the next few years, Quad continued to grow and had 100 workers and three presses by 1976, and 300 workers and six presses in 1979. [7]

In the late 1970s, Quad was awarded its first substantial national contract with Newsweek. [7] Contracts with Harper's, Time, and US News & World Report followed. [7]

Publishing growth

By the mid-1990s, the company was printing magazines like People, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Architectural Digest, and catalogs for LL Bean and Lands' End. [11] [7] In 1991, Quad had almost 9,000 employees and annual sales of $509 million. [12] [7] In 2000, Quad acquired the contract to print National Geographic, producing 9 million copies of the magazine monthly. [13]

In 2002, Tom Quadracci took over as company president and CEO after the death of his brother Harry. [14] The company had around 14,000 employees, $2 billion in annual sales, and 15 plants on three continents. [8] It was the largest privately owned printing company in the world. [15] In 2004, Tom took over as chairman and CEO, and, in 2006, Joel Quadracci, Harry’s son, was promoted to president and COO. [14] [7]

New York Stock Exchange

In 2010, Quad became LL Bean’s exclusive provider for studio photography. [16] [17] The company managed studio operations in cooperation with LL Bean’s Photography Operations and Creative Department. [16] [17] The agreement covered photography for LL Bean’s catalogs, including Men’s, Women’s, Kid’s, Fly Fishing, Hunting, Traveler, and Home titles, as well as its websites and e-commerce business. [16] [17]

On July 6, 2010, Quad began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: QUAD) following the acquisition of Canadian rival World Color Press in an all-stock deal worth between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion. [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] Quad’s listing was not an IPO because it was not done in order to raise cash, but instead was necessary to complete a stock exchange with World Color as part of the acquisition. [21]

Quad is still controlled by the Quadracci family through ownership of high-voting class B shares. [23] [7] [19] [22]

Expansion to marketing and business services

By 2016, Quad, continuing to expand its marketing services, had built a $200 million packaging company and added offerings for in-store displays. [24] [25] BlueSoho, initially formed in 2004 as a digital art and image retouching studio, was repositioned in 2015 with the addition of a mobile marketing agency and media planning and placement group. [24] [25] Quad reported $4.3 billion in net sales in 2016. [26]

In September 2017, Quad won a $450 million contract to print all of Bluestem Brands' catalogs. [27] In 2019, Quad began producing 100% of Condé Nast’s titles, expanding a previous partnership that began in 1993. [27] [11] Publications under the partnership included Allure, Architectural Digest, Domino, Golf Digest, GQ, GQ Style, Teen Vogue, W Magazine, Wired, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Brides , and The New Yorker . [27]

In February 2019, Quad announced a name and logo update, changing its name from Quad/Graphics to Quad. [28] This was in an effort to focus more on the company’s marketing services. [28] The company is still known as Quad/Graphics, Inc., legally. [28]

In February 2021, Quad and the Quadracci family's Windhover Foundation committed $1 million to a three-year partnership with The BrandLab, a non-profit organization that supports young people from diverse backgrounds to advance in the marketing industry. [29] [30]

In February 2021, Joel Quadracci testified before a Congressional committee about the need for major reforms in the U.S. Postal Service. [31] Quadracci spoke both as the CEO of Quad and on behalf of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service. [31] It was the fourth time in a decade that Quadracci testified before Congress about the Postal Service. [31]

In 2021, Quad expanded its relationship with Package InSight, an organization that uses biometric technology to study brand packaging performance, consumer attention, and shelf-impact. [32]

In February 2024, Quad acquired DART Innovation, an in-store digital media solutions provider. [33]

Acquisitions and consolidation

In 1983, Quad/Graphics purchased Milwaukee Magazine, and made Betty Quadracci (the wife of Harry V. Quadracci) the president and publisher. [7]

In July 2010, Quad acquired competitor World Color Press, [34] In November it acquired the HGI Company, a commercial and specialty products printer; [35] this was followed by a July 2011 asset swap with Transcontinental Incorporated, in which Quad acquired Transcontinental's Mexican assets, along with its black-and-white book printing business for U.S. export (in exchange for seven of Quad's Canadian facilities). [36] [37]

From 2010 to 2013, Quad engaged in a series of acquisitions and consolidations in response to shifting market conditions, including the slow decline of print, the rise of digital and mobile technologies, and the economic downturn created by the Great Recession in the late 2000s. [24] [2] The company closed more than 50 printing plants and began building production studios and providing marketing services to longtime catalog clients like LL Bean and Cabela’s. [2] When asked about the company’s strategy during that time, Joel Quadracci told Adweek, “For us, it was we better become the consolidator, or the consolidating is going to be done to us.” [2]

Employees were offered a separation package that included severance pay, continuation of health care benefits, and career transition assistance. [38]

On January 16, 2013, Quad acquired Vertis Holdings, Inc., a printer of retail inserts, direct mail and in-store marketing materials. [39] In December 2013, the company acquired the packaging company Proteus. [40] In 2014, Quad acquired UniGraphic Inc., “one of the largest commercial printers in the Boston metro area.” [41]

In February 2015, Quad acquired Marin’s International, a French company operating in the point-of-sale display industry. [42]

In February 2018 Quad acquired Ivie & Associates LLC, a Dallas-based provider of business services for retailers. [43]

In November 2018, the company acquired LSC Communications in an all-stock deal for $1.4 billion. [44] Shareholders of both companies approved the merger in February 2019. [45] However, in June 2019 the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division sued to block the acquisition. [45] A trial date was set that likely would not have resulted in a decision until 2020, a costly delay that caused both companies to call off of the deal. [45] Quad paid LSC a reverse termination fee of $45 million, as required by the merger agreement. [45] [46] Since 2010 the company has closed 47 printing facilities in response to changing media and advertising trends. [47] As of January 2021, Quad had 50 printing plants around the world, including 41 in the US, with three to be closed during 2021. [48]

In November 2018, Quad agreed to purchase Minneapolis-based advertising firm Periscope, Inc., for $132 million, a deal which closed in January 2019. [49] [50] In January 2020, Periscope CEO Elizabeth Ross left, and was replaced by an interim CEO from Quad; [51] in June 2020, Periscope announced Cari Bucci-Hulings would join Periscope as its new president, effective July 6, 2020. [52]

Controversies

On July 1, 2020, at least five employees at Periscope walked out in protest against Quad, alleging "interference by its parent company in Periscope’s social media communications about the Black Lives Matter movement and staffer concerns that Quad was releasing deceptive data about its employee diversity." [53] The walk-out was led by a group strategy director at Periscope who, weeks earlier, had started a movement to address the "systemic racism that is afflicting our industry." On July 2, 2020, approximately 150 employees walked out, consisting of nearly the entire Periscope Minneapolis office. [54] [55] After the walkout, Quad gave Periscope editorial independence over its social media posts and apologized for being “slow to communicate its commitment to ending systemic racism". [55]

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References

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  3. ↑ "Sussex, Wisconsin (Headquarters)". Quad. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "quad-20221231". www.sec.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  5. ↑ "__symbol__ Stock Quote Price and Forecast". CNN. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  6. 1 2 Archives, L. A. Times (2002-08-01). "Harry Quadracci, 66; Printing Firm Made Him Among Richest in U.S." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Quad/Graphics". Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  8. 1 2 3 "Quad/Graphics, Inc. | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  9. ↑ "Quad/Graphics". postalmuseum.si.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  10. ↑ Staff, Freeman (2021-07-01). "Quad/Graphics sells its third-party logistics company". Greater Milwaukee Today. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  11. 1 2 "Quad/Graphics to Print All of Condé Nast Magazines". Printing Impressions. 2017-10-05. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  12. ↑ "A Great Company at a Wonderful Price in a Terrible Industry - QU". www.gurufocus.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  13. ↑ "Quad/Graphics Launches $600 Million Expansion Program". Printing Impressions. 2000-09-01. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  14. 1 2 Miller, Abby (2004-12-01). "Quad/Graphics Elevates Thomas, Joel Quadracci". DMNews. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  15. ↑ Staff, Newsweek (2002-08-11). "The Editor's Desk". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  16. 1 2 3 "Quad/Graphics, L.L.Bean Expand Photo Partnership with Opening of New Studio for Print Work —PI News". Printing Impressions. 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  17. 1 2 3 "L.L. Bean shoots, scores in Westbrook". Press Herald. 2010-04-15. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  18. ↑ "Quad/Graphics ring bell at New York Stock Exchange - PrintCAN". printcan.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
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  20. ↑ "Quad/Graphics closes World Color acquisition". www.bizjournals.com. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  21. 1 2 "Joel Quadracci Rings The Opening Bell at NYSE to Mark Quad/Graphics' Listing —PI News". Printing Impressions. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  22. 1 2 "Quad/Graphics acquires Canadian rival, announces plans to go public". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  23. ↑ McCracken, Jeffrey (2010-01-26). "Two Big Printers Expected to Merge". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  24. 1 2 3 Thomas, Arthur (2016-08-22). "How Quad became more than just a printer". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  25. 1 2 MarketScreener. "Quad/Graphics : Introducing BlueSoho – an integrated marketing and technology firm | MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  26. ↑ "Quad/Graphics Reports 4Q, Full Year 2016 Results". Ink World. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  27. 1 2 3 "Quad/Graphics to Print All of Condé Nast Magazines". Printing Impressions. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  28. 1 2 3 Wickman, Natalie. "Sussex-based Quad/Graphics will now go by Quad". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  29. ↑ Schuyler, David (2021-02-18). "Quad, family foundation commit $1M to bring The BrandLab diversity programs to Milwaukee". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  30. ↑ Anderegg, Brandon (2021-02-18). "Quad attracts The BrandLab diversity organization with $1 million commitment". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  31. 1 2 3 Kirchen, Rich (26 February 2021). "Joel Quadracci calls for Postal Service reforms, opposes price increases, service cuts". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  32. ↑ Staff, Freeman (2021-04-16). "Quad expands partnership with Package InSight". Greater Milwaukee Today. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  33. ↑ Smart, Ashley (2024-02-06). "Quad acquires North Carolina-based digital media solutions provider". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  34. ↑ "Quad/Graphics closes World Color acquisition". www.bizjournals.com. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  35. ↑ Burke, Michael. "Quad/Graphics acquires HGI Co. of Burlington". Journal Times. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  36. ↑ "UPDATE 1-Quad/Graphics, Transcontinental to swap certain printing assets". Reuters. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  37. ↑ "Quad/Graphics to Acquire Mexican Printing Assets From and Sell Canadian Assets to Transcontinental". www.businesswire.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  38. ↑ "Midland Quad/Graphics location to close by Sept. 10". Midland Daily News. July 12, 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  39. ↑ Engel, Jeff (17 January 2013). "Quad/Graphics closes acquisition of Vertis at adjusted price". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  40. ↑ "Quad/Graphics Acquires Proteus Packaging | Mergr M&A Deal Summary". mergr.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  41. ↑ "Quad/Graphics acquires East Coast printer UniGraphic". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  42. ↑ "Quad acquires French maker of pop-up advertising displays". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  43. ↑ Taschler, Joe. "Quad acquires Dallas marketing firm". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  44. ↑ "Quad/Graphics to Buy LSC Communications". Publishers Weekly. November 1, 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  45. 1 2 3 4 Michelson, Mark. "Quad, LSC Communications Call Off Plans to Merge". Printing Impressions. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  46. ↑ "LSC, Quad/Graphics abandon $1.4 billion merger after U.S. antitrust suit". Reuters. 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  47. ↑ Thomas, Arthur (2020-11-06). "Quad has cut 1,100 jobs, closed 4 plants this year". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  48. ↑ Michelson, Mark. "Quad to Close Three Plants; 650 Workers Impacted". Printing Impressions. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  49. ↑ "Quad/Graphics to Buy Ad Agency Periscope for $132 Million". Wall Street Journal. November 27, 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  50. ↑ Bruell, Alexandra (2018-11-27). "Quad/Graphics to Buy Ad Agency Periscope for $132 Million". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  51. ↑ Rehkamp, Patrick (27 January 2020). "Liz Ross out as CEO of Periscope advertising agency". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  52. ↑ Jones, Carter (30 June 2020). "Periscope names Cari Bucci-Hulings as president". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  53. ↑ "5 Walk Out After Periscope Parent Company Bars Posting About Black Lives Matter". AdWeek. July 1, 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  54. ↑ "Periscope employees walk out in protest, claiming ownership muted Black Lives Matter stance". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. July 2, 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  55. 1 2 "Social media policy forbidding term 'Black Lives Matter' prompts Minneapolis ad agency walkout". Star Tribune. July 2, 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
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