Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Friesens

Friesens Corporation is Canada's largest printer of hardcover books. They are employee-owned, specializing in hardcover books and yearbooks, and located in Altona, Manitoba, Canada. Friesens also operates a self-publishing subsidiary named FriesenPress, launched in 2009.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
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Friesens Corporation
Company type
Private (employee-owned)
IndustryPrinting
Founded1907
FounderDavid W. Friesen
Headquarters
Altona, Manitoba
,
Canada
Area served
North America
Key people
Chad Friesen, Chief Executive Officer
Byron Loeppky, President
Curwin Friesen, Chairman of the Board
ProductsBooks, Yearbooks, Self-publishing
RevenueCAD$96,000,000 (2019) Increase 10% from 2018
Number of employees
600
DivisionsFriesens Book Division, Friesens Yearbooks, FriesenPress
Websitewww.friesens.com

Friesens Corporation is Canada's largest printer of hardcover books.1 They are employee-owned, specializing in hardcover books and yearbooks, and located in Altona, Manitoba, Canada. Friesens also operates a self-publishing subsidiary named FriesenPress,2 launched in 2009.3

History

  • 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 Saskatchewan4
  • 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.5
  • 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 think4D6 a revolutionary and patented three-dimensional book cover and packaging technology; Friesens launches FriesenPress2 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.1 Furthermore, it has been rated as one of Canada's best 50 managed companies by Deloitte and Touche on several occasions.7 In 2018, Friesens was number 60 of the top 400 printing companies in the United States and Canada.8

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.3910 It is the largest company of its kind in Canada.11

In March 2021, the company shifted its headquarters to Altona, Manitoba and became a fully remote organization.9

Awards

  • In 2004, The National Association for Printing Leadership awarded Friesens its highest management award.12
  • In 2004, Caldwell Partners and The Globe and Mail named president Curwin Friesen as one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40".13
References

References

  1. "The Economy". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  2. "FriesenPress | Self-Publish Your Book in Canada". FriesenPress. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  3. www.friesenpress.com/about-us
  4. "Our Past". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  5. "Potter book flies off shelves". CBC News. 2000-07-12. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  6. "think4D Produces Packaging with Maximum Shelf Impact". www.think-4d.com. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  7. "2007 Requalified members". Archived from the original on 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  8. "The Printing Impressions 400 (pdf)". Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  9. St. Germain, Pat (2021-06-03). "Making an imprint". The National Post. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  10. FriesenPress. "Canada's Largest Publishing Services Provider Turns 10". FriesenPress. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  11. Gee, Dana (2021-07-23). "Booming self-publishing puts more voices out in the world". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  12. "Management Plus Awards Winners 2004". Archived from the original on 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  13. "2004 Recipients". Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
External links