Quad Setting Records for Co-Mail Volume and Postage Savings as Fall Mailing Season PeaksSUSSEX, WI, November 1, 2011 – As the mailing volume of catalogs and magazines nears its seasonal peak, Quad/Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) reports that it is now breaking company and industry records for co-mail pool sizes, aggregated volume and customer postage savings. Company co-mail analysts are projecting that annualized co-mail volume will top 4.9 billion pieces in 2011.
“Mailing and distribution represents more than half the cost of typical catalog and magazine programs, so our ability to save money for customers in this area is a critical value,” says Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics Chairman, President & CEO. “Given the potential for more changes in postage rates and services in the near future, that advantage will become even more important for our customers.”
Quad pioneered co-mailing almost 30 years ago. The process combines mailstreams from multiple customers into a single mailstream that creates mailing efficiencies through combined volume and drives postage savings. Quad/Graphics became the largest U.S. printer and co-mailer of catalogs and magazines in 2010 when it acquired Worldcolor, and is now maximizing the benefits of that combined volume for its customers.
Dave Riebe, Quad/Graphics’ President of Logistics & Distribution, says volume drives the ability to pre-sort and deliver mail to the deepest sortation facilities of the USPS platform to achieve the maximum postal discounts available. “We now have more volume, co-mail equipment and capacity than any of our competitors, but the key isn’t just size, it’s our unique co-mail optimization software that analyzes multiple cost components of the process – manufacturing, inline/offline co-mail, distribution and postage – to produce the maximum savings,” he said.
Another improvement cited by Riebe and his co-mail team is increased flexibility in co-mail services and solutions. Pools can now be created on a more customized and flexible basis to accommodate a greater range of mail classifications, formats and versions, including catalog and periodical classifications, saddle-stitched and perfect-bound products, larger tabloid-sized and polywrapped mail, as well as specialized formats and features such as belly-bands and tips. “Many mailers have had some or all of their product locked out of a co-mail solution in the past, but our enhanced platform, volume, and capacity are allowing us to be more flexible in accommodating these specialized needs,” Riebe said.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent any statements made in this press release contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, Quad/Graphics’ objectives, goals, strategies, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, prospects, projections and outlook, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “foresee,” “believe,” or “continue,” or the negatives of these terms, variations on them and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of Quad/Graphics. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Among such risks, uncertainties and other factors that may impact Quad/Graphics are: the impact of significant overcapacity in the commercial printing industry, which creates downward pricing pressure and fluctuating demand for printing services; the impact of fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials, energy costs and freight rates; Quad/Graphics may be unable to achieve the estimated potential synergies expected from the acquisition of Worldcolor or it may take longer or cost more than expected to achieve those synergy savings; unexpected costs or liabilities related to the Worldcolor acquisition, including the effects of purchase accounting that may be different from Quad/Graphics’ allocations; failure to successfully integrate the operations of Quad/Graphics and Worldcolor; the impact of electronic media and similar technological changes; changes in macroeconomic or political conditions in the countries where Quad/Graphics operates; regulatory matters and risks; legislative developments or changes in laws; the impact of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates; the retention of existing, and continued attraction of additional, key employees; and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies.
Quad/Graphics cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive and you should carefully consider the other factors detailed from time to time in Quad/Graphics’ filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other uncertainties and potential events when relying on the Company’s forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Quad/Graphics.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Quad/Graphics undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Quad/Graphics
Quad/Graphics (NYSE: QUAD) is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts/circulars, direct mail, books, directories, and commercial and specialty products, including in-store signage. Headquartered in Sussex, Wis. (just west of Milwaukee), the company has approximately 24,000 full-time equivalent employees working from approximately 60 print-production facilities as well as other support locations throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. As a printing industry innovator, Quad/Graphics (www.QG.com) is redefining the power of print in today’s multimedia world by helping its clients use print as the foundation of multichannel communications strategies to drive their top-line revenues.
Media Contact:
Claire Ho, Quad/Graphics Director of Corporate Communications
414-566-2955
Claire.Ho@qg.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Barb Bolens, Quad/Graphics Assistant Treasurer and Director of Investor Relations
414-566-4959
Barb.Bolens@qg.com
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