~ by Byron Loeppky, Senior VP of Friesens Book Division
If you hadn’t heard the news, Friesens approved capital budget for 2023 was the largest in our company’s history at $19.5 million. The budget for 2024 is a more modest $5 million but there are a number of pieces of equipment that will get installed this year that were ordered in 2023.
One of those new pieces of equipment is a brand new Timson web press, which was delayed slightly and will now be delivered in the fall of this year. This will be located at our Industrial Park facility and will add both capacity and modern technology to our web platform. This LED press will be the first new press made by Timson since 2014 and will include some automation that is a first for us! The ground has broken for this new press, and we are preparing for its arrival by spending the next few months performing essential foundational work.
Our commitment to the book industry is unwavering. We remain committed to being among the most modern, efficient, and safe manufacturing facilities in the world. We recognize that the best equipment from around the world is no good without great people running it!