Globe signs printing deal with Transcon

Beginning in 2010, Transcontinental Inc. will print The Globe and Mail newspaper in most major markets. According to a Globe press release, Transcon will print the newspaper in Halifax, Montreal area, Toronto area, Calgary, and Vancouver but the paper’s printing contract for the Prairie region will be decided upon separately.

According to Transcon, the contract is worth $1.7 billion and runs until 2028. The company plans to invest approximately $200 M in a new national platform for newspaper and flyer printing in 2009 and 2010.

“This is an historic announcement for The Globe and Mail, our readers and advertisers, and our staff,” said Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO of the
Globe, in the release. “It is a sign of our continued confidence in the future of the newspaper business.”

Along with the Transcon contract comes plans for yet another redesign. In a Globe article about the deal, Crawley said a redesign is planned for late 2010 or early 2011 and that the new Globe will be printed on smaller paper. the size, he said, will be reduced by 1 inches to a height of 53 centimetres. As well, he said the paper will now be able to print in full colour on all pages.

The last major redesign of the Globe was in April 2007.