Today, Tom Engdahl, President and CEO of Brown Printing Company, announced that the company has approved a multi-year expansion project that will add approximately 150,000 square feet to the facility and increase plant capacity by about 15%. The project, with estimated total cost of more than $55 million, will begin shortly with the commitment for purchase of steel. Building construction is scheduled to start during the month of April. The scope of this project will include the replacement of two older presses with two modern higher capacity web offset presses, the addition of bindery equipment to match the added pressroom capacity and the installation of latest technology in factory automation, including an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV’s) to more efficiently store and move materials throughout the facility. Over the nearly three year project implementation timeframe, the total employment of the Waseca Division is expected to increase by about 30 positions. Some areas of the division will add positions, while other areas will reduce some staffing. As the project progresses, the company will work directly with the affected groups with re-training and placement in new positions, where possible. Tom Williams, VP and General Manager commented by saying “It is apparent that this project has been approved by Gruner + Jahr because of the continuing outstanding performance of the Waseca Division. This plant has always been regarded within the printing industry as an outstanding web offset plant, thanks to the efforts of our dedicated employees. Brown Printing Company is proud to call Waseca home and this additional commitment of capital clearly demonstrates our appreciation for the support of our employees, our customers, the city of Waseca and surrounding communities.” According to Tom Engdahl, “This initiative follows similar plant expansions and technology upgrades that have been completed during the recent past at our two other printing plants located at East Greenville, Pennsylvania and Woodstock, Illinois. Taken as a whole, our aggressive technology upgrades and more efficient operations prepare the company to continue to compete effectively in the years ahead. The financial commitment of our parent company Gruner + Jahr provides the basis for continued success in the competitive environment in which we operate.”