MATTOON - Thirty new jobs are to come with an $8.5 million investment in the R.R. Donnelley & Sons Mattoon plant. Donnelley's announced Monday plans to recapitalize, or upgrade, an existing Harris M1000 offset press and add a second Harris M1000 press in Mattoon. The moves are to enhance the quality, productivity and long-term competitiveness of the plant, the company said in a statement. Any time there's reinvestment into a plant, this represents a show of confidence in the plant and the workforce, said Dan Knotts, company vice president and division director. The additions bring total employment at the plant in Mattoon to more than 1,600, he said. The improvements are to be made within the existing 1.1 million-square-foot structure. "Our investment in this equipment will enhance product quality, while improving schedule flexibility and driving productivity improvements," Knotts said. "This significant investment will help us build a stronger, more secure future for Mattoon, Coles County and surrounding communities. This investment signifies the confidence that Donnelley has in the employees in the Mattoon division." The improvements help make sure the facility maintains its quality standards for customers, enhances productivity and adds employees, he said. The construction is under way, he said, and is to be complete in July or August. The additional employees will likely be hired in June and July. The equipment prints magazines, catalogs and advertising inserts. The company said the investment reflects Donnelley's strategy of enhancing existing presses to compliment new equipment. R.R. Donnelley prints more than 70 million books and catalogs every month at its facility off U.S. Route 45 near Mattoon. The facility opened in 1967 with 40 employees. R.R. Donnelley & Sons is a world leader in managing, reproducing and distribution print and digital information for the publishing, retailing, merchandising and information-technology markets. It specializes in the production of books, catalogs, inserts, magazines, directories and financial and computer documentation. The company employs about 38,000 people in 26 countries.

Used with permission from Mid-Illinois Newspapers
Publishers of the Mattoon Journal Gazette and the Charleston Times-Courier

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Coles Together
400 Airport Road
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 258-5627 FAX (217) 235-9492