Contact:
Erica Fetherston
10 to 1 Public Relations
erica@10to1pr.com
480-676-9141
Brianne Petruzalek
Worzalla
Director of Human Resources
715-254-9717
Stevens Point, Wisconsin (Oct. 10, 2019)– Worzalla, an employee-owned company specializing in printing high-quality children’s books, movie tie-in books and coffee table books, announced it will be embarking on an extensive modernization and expansion plan to enhance the company’s production capabilities for customers. Worzalla is investing $12.5 million in new machinery and capital improvements to the company’s headquarters in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, over the course of the next few months.
“We’re making this investment in direct response to the growing market interest for additional U.S. book manufacturing capacity, as the demand for domestic book production has been steadily rising over the past two years,” said Jim Fetherston, President and CEO of Worzalla. “Additionally, we see ourselves as an integral part of the Portage County community with our 125-year history here in Stevens Point and want to ensure our longevity for future generations to come.”
Worzalla’s modernization plan consists of three key components. The first is the addition of 50,000 square feet to Worzalla’s manufacturing headquarters, an increase of 20%. The new space will house work-in-process, along with paper storage and additional bindery equipment. The other components of the manufacturing plan include the addition of a new Heidelberg 106 press and Kolbus perfect binder.
Due to quicker make-readies, enhanced efficiency and increased reliability, Worzalla expects to achieve at least a 30% increase in production levels following full implementation of all components of the plan. In all, Worzalla will be hiring 50 new associates in a variety of roles to accommodate its expanded capacity.
“The goal of our modernization plan is to strengthen the long-term health of Worzalla for all current and future associates,” said Fetherston. “We have happy customers asking us to take on more work; we have the financial strength to make these investments to grow our business; and lastly, but most importantly, we have associates who are the very best in our industry at making the beautiful books that our publishers entrust to us.”
Worzalla currently prints titles from some of the country’s largest book publishers, including Disney Books, Abrams, Simon and Schuster, Hachette, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and others. Some parts of Worzalla’s modernization plan are currently underway, with expected completion in the Spring of 2020.
Worzalla has seen steady growth over the last few years, recently announcing a 14% increase in its workforce at the end of the first quarter of its fiscal year. Worzalla’s newly announced modernization plan also follows a $5 million investment made over the past year in their Finishing Department.
About Worzalla
Worzalla is an employee-owned printing company headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Founded in 1892, Worzalla has over 125 years of experience in creating high-quality custom products for its customers. Worzalla specializes in the production of cookbooks, children’s and lifestyle books, and is dedicated to exceeding expectations for quality, service and delivery. From small to large publishers, Worzalla is the printer the industry turns to for manufacturing high profile projects and award-winning books. With numerous industry awards for safety and workplace culture, Worzalla is consistently ranked as one of the top places to work in central Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.worzalla.com.
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