Friesens

• Friesens was founded by David W. Friesen in 1907 as a confectionery store. • In 1933, the family purchased a printing press • In 1941 launched weekly Altona Echo newspaper later amalgamating with the Morris Herald into the Red River Valley Echo. • In 1950 incorporated as D.W. Friesen & Sons Inc,. • In 1959 built new 16,500 sq. ft. plant. Purchased first offset press • In 1960 began employee profit sharing and post secondary scholarships for employees' children • In 1965 started selling school yearbooks in Manitoba and Saskatchewan • In 1970 launched Business Machines division • In 1971 purchased ACME Box Company. Expanded main plant by 12,000 sq ft. • In 1973 expanded school yearbook force • In 1976 D.W. Friesen & Sons changes to Friesens • In 1978 printed first four-colour book • In 1987 purchased four colour presses • In 1990 started Graphic Arts course at Red River Community College • In 1999 Friesens Fast Print and Packaging Division relocated. Started selling school graduation supplies. • In 2000, Friesens printed the Canadian run of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, producing 400,000 copies of the book. • In 2002 printed ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' by J. K. Rowling • In 2004 Friesens landmark printing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on 100% post consumer waste led author J.K. Rowling to insist all future Harry Potter books worldwide be printed "tree-free" • In 2008 built North America's most advanced and eco-friendly 130,000 sq. ft. book manufacturing plant. • In 2009 Friesens purchased think4D a revolutionary and patented three-dimensional book cover and packaging technology; Friesens launches FriesenPress for self-publishing authors; • In 2010 Friesens designed and printed American Idol: Back Story and Season 9 Highlights; Designed and printed school yearbooks appearing on the television series, Glee • In 2015 Friesens install an 8-colour, format 8, R900 HiPrint XXL perfecting press from Manroland that provides for an imposition of up to 64 pages, printed both sides, in one pass. Successfully completed a shift in the employee-ownership model. • In 2016 printed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child • In 2017 celebrated 110 years in business with a corporate and community celebration ==Current operations==

Friesens is Canada's largest printer of hardcover books. In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada. == FriesenPress ==

On July 13, 2009, Friesens Corporation launched a self-publishing subsidiary called FriesenPress. FriesenPress offers editing, design, distribution, and promotional support services to assist authors with self-publishing their books. Its team of over 55 employees and 100 freelancers have partnered with thousands of authors on self-publishing over 10,000 book titles. It is the largest company of its kind in Canada. In March 2021, the company shifted its headquarters to Altona, Manitoba and became a fully remote organization. ==Awards==

• In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award. • In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40". ==References==