Further restructuring at Montreal-based Quebecor World is leading to the loss of 700 full-time jobs between two plants–its Islington gravure printing facility in West Toronto and a commercial plant in North Haven, Connecticut. The U.S. plant will be closed by the end of June. The Islington facility is being downsized, retaining its directory binding operation and maintaining approximately 60 positions. Quebecor World calls the closures part of its global retooling and restructuring program, launched three years ago. The Islington facility was the only gravure publication/retail printing plant in Canada. Formerly known as PE&E, the facility underwent a $45 million expansion in 1999-2000 to service Sears Canada catalogue and flyer business, along with a host of other catalogue and retail business. A new facility at the Islington site opened last year, a new entity co-owned by Quebecor Media and Quebecor World, called Wide Web Printing and equipped with MAN Roland web presses with heatset capability. This plant is responsible for printing newspapers, including the Toronto Sun, and directories.

Doug Picklyk
Editor, Canadian Printer