Our History

Our History

1907     D.W. Friesens founded as a confectionery store, telephone agent and postmaster

1923      Purchased local book store

1933      First letterpress

1935      Second press

1936      Purchased town printer

1941      Launched bi-weekly Echo Newspaper

1946      Expanded wholesale division

1950      Incorporated as D.W. Friesen & Sons Inc.

1959      Built new 16,500 sq. ft. plant. Purchased first offset press

1960      Began employee profit sharing and post secondary scholarships for employees’ children

1965      Started selling school yearbooks in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

1970      Launched Business Machines division

1971      Purchased ACME Box Company. Expanded main plant by 12,000 sq. ft.

1973      Expanded school yearbook sales force

1976      D.W. Friesens & Sons changes to Friesens

1978      Printed first four colour book

1987      Purchased four color presses

1990      Started Graphic Arts course at Red River Community College

1999      Friesens Fast Print and Packaging Division relocated. Started selling school graduation supplies.

2002     Printed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

2004     Friesens landmark printing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on 100% post consumer waste led to author, J.K. Rowling insisting all future Harry Potter books, worldwide, be printed ‘tree-free’

2004      Elected into the American National Association of Printing Leadership (NAPL) Hall of Fame

2008      Built North America’s most advanced and eco-friendly 130,000 sq. ft. book manufacturing plant.

2009      Friesens purchases think4D®, a revolutionary and patented three dimensional book cover and packaging technology. Friesens purchases Canada Yearbook Services.

2010      Friesens launches FriesenPress for self-publishers

2010      Designed and printed America Idol: Back Story and Season 9 Highlights. Designed and printed school yearbooks appearing on the television series, Glee.