Bertelsmann, the German media conglomerate that owns the U.S's largest publisher, Penguin Random House, has acquired Quad/Graphics’s two remaining book manufacturing facilities. In a deal that closed on October 31, Bertelsmann Printing Group USA’s Berryville Graphics division acquired Quad’s book printing plants in Fairfield, Pa., and Martinsburg, W.Va.
The sale completes Quad’s exit from book manufacturing. In July, it sold its other book manufacturing plant in Versailles, Ky., to CJK Group, Inc. Quad said it will use the proceeds from the sale to pay down debt.
In addition to Berryville Graphics, Bertelsmann Printing Group USA owns Coral Graphics, Dynamic Graphics, Offset Paperback Manufacturing, and Digital Print Services. Prior to the Quad acquisition, Bertelsmann Printing had annual revenue of over $230 million and employed more than 1,300 people.
Bertelsman has long been one of the firmest corporate believers in the future of book publishing, including in print books. The move comes during a tough time for the printing industry in the U.S., which was beleaguered by economic issues even before the pandemic.
