A Quebecor World Inc. plant in Toronto that printed the defunct Canadian Tire catalogue is shedding hundreds of jobs as part of the struggling commercial printer’s three-year restructuring.
About 320 workers will be cut from a plant in Toronto’s west end, and another 350 will be affected when a facility in North Haven, Conn., is closed altogether by the end of June.
“The [restructuring] program, which is being completed in 2008, is designed to reduce costs and improve productivity across the company’s global platform by consolidating volume in larger and more efficient facilities,” the company said in a news release.
The program includes investing in modern presses and accompanying technology in fewer but larger facilities to enhance performance and customer service.
Quebecor World’s Islington plant in Toronto prints retail flyers, catalogues and binds directories.
After the retooling, binding operations at the facility will continue with 60 workers staying on the job there.
Among its marquee products was the iconic Canadian Tire catalogue that was sent to millions of Canadian homes for the last 80 years.
Duncan Brown, national director of CEP Graphical union, said the plant’s future was put in doubt after the retailing giant announced last month the decision to make the catalogue available only on its website.
“[Quebecor World has] had an investment program over the last few years overall as a company but in some cases it’s been too little, too late,” he said. “This is just one of the plants that is paying the price for it.”
The Connecticut plant primarily produces general commercial printed products.
The company said it has invested $1 billion upgrading its facilities with new presses, robotics, quality control systems and bindery technology.
The move comes a month after the Montreal-based company closed a 37-year-old facility that prints magazine and promotional retail advertising inserts in Magog, Que. About 300 employees lost their jobs, on top of 200 already on temporary layoff.
Company spokesman Tony Ross wouldn’t indicate if more layoffs are planned. “This is the announcement that we’re making today, and we expect to conclude the three-year retooling plan in 2008.”
Earlier this week, the printer announced a US$2.2-billion loss for 2007 as it remained under protection from its creditors.
Quebecor World shares lost half a cent to 20.5 cents in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
