SUSSEX, Wis., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Under terms of a newly signed multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement, Quad/Graphics will become the exclusive printer and prepress provider for L.L.Bean catalogs beginning in January 2008.
The contract covers all prepress, printing, binding and mailing for L.L.Bean's catalogs -- more than 65 catalog titles in all, including L.L.Bean's full-line and prospecting catalogs, and its Men's, Women's, Kids, Fly Fishing, Hunting, Traveler and Outdoor Discovery Schools titles -- as well as a portion of its photography. Prepress production will be managed by the Quad/Imaging Service Center in Braintree, Mass., and at a new prepress facility to be located in Freeport, Maine, in or near L.L.Bean's headquarters. Printing and distribution of the catalogs will be handled from Quad/Graphics' gravure printing plants in Martinsburg, W.V., Oklahoma City, Okla. and Lomira, Wis. QuadPhoto, Quad/Graphics' digital-photography subsidiary, will handle a portion of L.L.Bean's photography at an in-house studio to be established at L.L.Bean headquarters in Freeport, Maine.
Quad/Graphics' direct-marketing vision and capabilities were a key factor in L.L.Bean's decision. Quad/Graphics supports catalogers and other direct- marketers with a wide range of printing and data services and processes to create targeted, responsive 1-to-1 communications. Quad/Graphics also offered L.L.Bean the most comprehensive, cost-effective production solutions from prepress through distribution, including state-of-the-art gravure technology, swift production turnaround times and the ability to deliver significant postal savings through co-mailing and high-density, carrier-route sorting.
"We were impressed with their innovation, technology and quality," said Steve Fuller, L.L.Bean Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing.
"We are delighted to re-establish our print partnership with one of the nation's most remarkable catalogers," said Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics President & CEO. "This partnership is firmly rooted in the unlimited power and possibilities of ink on paper, and combines our platform's technology and consistency of quality with one of the most-recognized brand names in American business. We are truly excited and honored to be L.L.Bean's print partner."
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading retailer of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. The company has grown from a one-man operation to a global organization with annual sales of $1.5 billion. Company headquarters are in Freeport, Maine, just down the road from the original store. While its business has grown substantially, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder and continues his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors.
About Quad/Graphics
Quad/Graphics is the largest privately held printer of catalogs, magazines and other commercial products in the world, and third largest printer -- public or private -- in the Western Hemisphere. Headquartered in Sussex, Wis. (26 miles west of Milwaukee), the company provides services ranging from front-end design and photography through digital imaging, printing, data and list management, finishing and dependable distribution.
Since its founding in 1971, the company has grown from obscurity to prominence, boasting print-production facilities on three continents as well as a worldwide employee roster 12,000 strong. Constant, rapid growth over the past 35 years -- mostly through internal expansion -- has resulted in a company with the most modern plants, equipment and capabilities in the commercial printing industry. Annual sales are $2 billion.
Quad/Graphics
CONTACT: Claire Ho of Quad/Graphics, +1-414-566-2955
