Friesens
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, launched in 2009.[2]
Wall display of works published by Friesens at the company's headquarters | |
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) |
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 and began publication of the Red River Valley Echo. The company underwent rapid expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming a regional printer of high school yearbooks.[3]
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.[4] In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada.[5]
In 2000, Friesens printed the Canadian run of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, producing 400,000 copies of the book.[6]
In 2009, Friesens opened the self-publishing imprint FriesenPress in Victoria, which by 2013 published about 200 books per month.[2]
Awards
- In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award.[7]
- In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40".[8]
References
- "The Economy". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- Vesely, Carolyn (2016-02-26). "As self-publishing thrives, it's easy -- but expensive -- to put 'author' on your resumé". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- "Our Past". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "2007 Requalified members". Archived from the original on 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "The Printing Impressions 400 (pdf)". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "Potter book flies off shelves". CBC News. 2000-07-12. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "Management Plus Awards Winners 2004". Archived from the original on 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "2004 Recipients". Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-08-11.