Marengo printing plant closing, 138 employees affected

Quad Graphics, the latest owner of a longtime Marengo printing plant, will be closing the facility in early March, ending employment for 138 people.

Quad Graphics of Sussex, Wis., acquired the plant at 810 E. South St. when it purchased Vertis Communications in January 2013. The plant closing is the latest chapter of Quad Graphics integrating the Vertis operations.

Quad Graphics employees learned on Friday that the Marengo plant will slowly draw down production. Claire Ho, a spokeswoman for Quad Graphics, said employees who do not pursue employment opportunities at other plants will be offered a separation package.

Vertis Communications acquired the Marengo plant in  December 2008 when American Color Graphics of Brentwood, Tenn., merged with Vertis. Sullivan Graphics of Brentwood, Tenn., changed its name to American Color Graphics in 1997.

Sullivan Graphics printed and distributed weekly retail advertising inserts, Sunday comic sections, comic books and large format publications.