Worzalla, one the shrinking number of independent printers in the U.S., has been acquired by CJK Group, Inc. for an undisclosed price. The purchase marks the third acquisition of a printer this year by CJK, following its purchases of McNaughton & Gunn and Allen Press in March.
Based in Stevens Point, Wisc. Worzalla, founded in 1892, has about 340 employees and, under the director of CEO Jim Fetherston, it recently finished a five-year, $60 million capital improvement program. The company specializes in the printing of books for the children’s and trade book markets. “The addition of the Worzalla operation expands the spectrum of printing services for Sheridan’s clients, nicely augmenting our current strengths in the trade, education, academic, religious, and automotive publishing markets,” said Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK, in a statement.
Worzalla has become part of CJK’s Sheridan group, and has been renamed Sheridan Worzalla. CJK now operations 12 printing facilities, including three in Wisconsin. Fetherston said the deal will be good for the company and reflects market realities.
“With CJK Group’s ongoing support, Sheridan Worzalla will be well positioned to continue to grow. In the rapidly consolidating domestic book manufacturing world, becoming a key part of a family-held market leader is a terrific fit for the future of our company and all employees,” Fetherston said. “Importantly, the people of Worzalla are joining an organization that will continue our commitment to highest level quality and support that our customers have come to expect from us.”
