2016 to date

Transformation and long-term vision – 2016 to date

Transcontinental celebrates 40 years of history. The company pursues its transformation with diligence and determination by making acquisitions in promising segments, particularly for the development of its North American flexible packaging platform. It opts to divest its local and regional media assets in order to refocus on its specialty media activities.

2016

2016 marks the 40^th anniversary of Transcontinental’s founding.
The packaging sector continues to grow with two new acquisitions: Robbie Manufacturing (now Transcontinental Lenexa), based in Lenexa, Kansas, and Flexstar Packaging (now Transcontinental Richmond), located in Richmond, British Columbia.
The printing sector continues to optimize its platform.
A five-year agreement is signed to print the Toronto Star.
The company divests its assets in Saskatchewan, including its 13 local newspapers.
The Media Sector strengthens its portfolio of specialty financial brands by acquiring those of Rogers Media Inc.
Transcontinental wins in the "Business Transfer" category at the Mercuriades Awards—organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.

2017

Transcontinental reports, for a third consecutive year, the highest profitability in its history.
The packaging sector pursues its growth with the acquisition of Les Industries Flexipak (now Transcontinental Montréal), a flexible packaging supplier located in Montréal, its first in Québec.
In printing:
- Conclusion of an expanded multi-year agreement with Lowe’s Canada for all retailer-related services offered by Transcontinental.
- Announcement of the transfer of printing operations of its Transcontinental Northern California facility, in Fremont, to Hearst, effective April 2018.
- Announcement of the consolidation of its newspaper printing operations in Québec into three plants.
Transcontinental opts to divest its local and regional media assets in order to refocus on its specialty media and educational publishing activities.
- Sale of its media assets in Atlantic Canada.
- Start of a process for the sale of its 93 local and regional newspapers in Québec and Ontario. As at the end of December 2017, 60% of these publications had been sold.
Transcontinental sells its stake in CEDROM-SNi.
The Corporation moves up in the prestigious Corporate Knights ranking of the 50 most responsible corporate citizens, climbing from 40^th position in 2016 to 22^nd position in 2017.

2018

TC Transcontinental reports the highest profitability in its history for a fourth consecutive year.
Transformational acquisition of Coveris Americas at a cost of C$1.69 billion, enabling TC Transcontinental to position itself as one of the top ten leaders in flexible packaging in North America. This acquisition, the largest in the Corporation’s history, adds 21 production facilities to TC Transcontinental Packaging’s flexible packaging platform, for a total of 28.
Another important acquisition: Multifilm Packaging Corporation (now Transcontinental Elgin), a leader in high-end confectionery packaging in North America based in Elgin, Illinois.
With the closure of its Transcontinental Métropolitain plant at the beginning of the year, TC Transcontinental Printing consolidates its newspaper printing activities in Québec into three plants.
In the Media Sector, Pierre Marcoux is appointed as its President. The Groupe Constructo business unit acquires Contech. Thirty-two publications and the Métro Montréal weekday newspaper are sold to a Canadian corporation of which Michael Raffoul, a Montréal-based businessman, is President, as part of the sale process for TC Media’s newspapers in Québec and Ontario launched in April 2017. The Media Sector also welcomes Somabec, a pan-Canadian distributor of French-language books, and publishing house Edisem into its fold.
TC Transcontinental is in 29th position in the 2018 Corporate Knights ranking of Canada’s 50 best corporate citizens.
Appointment of Donald LeCavalier as Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.
In December, TC Transcontinental announces that it will participate in the City of Montréal’s public consultation in 2019 with respect to “the environmental and financial costs of the large-scale distribution of Publisacs”, as part of its Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP).

2019

TC Transcontinental becomes the first Canadian-based manufacturer to join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The Corporation pledges, by 2025, for 100% of its plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable. In this context, the Corporation launches vieVERTe, its portfolio of sustainable products, in addition to its new 2019-2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Plan, Acting Together.
TC Transcontinental launches an advertising campaign in Québec media and on social media to raise awareness among the population of the relevance and value of its Publisac. This initiative occurs in parallel to the public consultations held by the Montréal Metropolitan Community (MMC) on its Draft Amendment to the 2015-2020 Residual Materials Management Plan (RMMP) in which the Corporation participates, in addition to the Commission on Culture and Education initiated by the government of Québec as part of its order of initiative on the future of information media (over 95% of Québec weeklies are distributed in the Publisac). In the fall, the Corporation innovates with the launch of a new bag made entirely from recycled plastic. TC Transcontinental speaks out once again in October as part of the public consultation on flyer distribution control by the City of Montréal’s Standing Commission on Water, Environment, Sustainable Development and Large Parks in the wake of a citizen petition calling for, among other things, an opt-in subscription mode of distribution. The City of Montréal’s decision is expected in 2020.
Thomas Morin is appointed President of TC Transcontinental Packaging. During the year, the sector launches one of the first 100% recyclable, multilayer barrier stand-up pouches in collaboration with Harney & Sons. In the fall, the Corporation expands its capabilities for the agricultural end market with the acquisition of a majority participation in Ecuador-based Trilex (now Transcontinental Guayaquil Agro). A few weeks later, TC Transcontinental sells its paper and woven polypropylene packaging operations to Hood Packaging Corporation, as the vertical for this business, acquired in the Coveris Americas transaction in 2018, is less core to the Packaging Sector’s growth strategy.
TC Transcontinental Printing enhances its offering in the promising vertical of in-store marketing product printing and acquires Holland & Crosby (now Transcontinental Brampton) in Ontario.
TC Transcontinental sells the majority of its specialty media assets and event planning activities to Contex Group and Newcom Media. The Media Sector continues to operate with TC Media Books and Groupe Constructo.

2020

As of mid-March, 2020 is marked by the Covid-19 global pandemic. The Crisis Management Committee takes action on all fronts joining forces with managers and employees to contribute to the global effort to halt the pandemic, enable the Corporation to protect the health of its people, pursue its manufacturing activities designated as essential and meet the evolving needs of its customers. Flexible packaging as well as newspaper and flyer printing are identified among others to support essential sectors such as grocery, pharmacies and hardware stores. Telework is widely adopted to comply with the confinement.
TC Transcontinental announces the creation of the Recycling Group within its Packaging Sector. It aims to vertically integrate the recycling of plastics in its packaging production chain in Canada, the United States and Latin America to ensure stable procurement of recycled resin for the Corporation. In the spring, this is followed by the acquisition of the assets of Enviroplast Inc., a company dedicated to recycling flexible plastics in the province of Québec.
The Corporation is part of the creation of the Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT) in collaboration with the federal government and five other organizations to develop a circular economy for plastics in Canada, by identifying and recommending solutions to optimize the handling of plastics throughout the recycling value chain.
Further expansion of TC Transcontinental’s offering of in-store marketing product printing with the acquisition of Artisan Limited Complete in Ontario.
TC Transcontinental Printing announces the closure of two of its plants in the province of Québec, Transcontinental de la Capitale (Québec City) and Transcontinental Qualimax (Gatineau), as part of its strategy of continuously optimizing its printing platform by adjusting capacity and costs to its business volumes.
In recognition of innovation in the Corporation’s Packaging Sector to promote sustainability and a circular economy, TC Transcontinental wins the Mercure award in the "Innovative Manufacturers – Large Business" category at the prestigious Mercuriades business competition held by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.

2021

TC Transcontinental, in collaboration with Énergir and other partners, proudly responds to the Québec government's call for businesses to support the health and social services network by opening a COVID-19 vaccination centre for three months in Montréal’s Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough. Over 30,000 doses are administered.
The Printing Sector posts a return to positive organic growth since the start of the pandemic. The strategic acquisition of BGI Retail Inc.(now Transcontinental Paris), with its highly complementary activities, enables it to further expand its in-store marketing solutions offering to retailers. The integration of acquisitions in this highly promising vertical also leads to the relocation of printing activities from Holland & Crosby and Artisan Complete to Transcontinental Brampton.
As part of its strategy of continuously optimizing its printing platform to align its capacity and costs with business volumes, TC Transcontinental Printing closes its Transcontinental LGM – Coronet plant, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in January.
As TC Transcontinental’s main engine of long-term growth, the Packaging Sector maintains its stride notably due to the introduction of new products, the recently signed contracts and the momentum of its sustainable packaging products that contribute to the circular economy for plastic. The Corporation also acquires H.S. Crocker Co., Inc. (now Transcontinental Huntley and Transcontinental Exton) a leader in die-cut lids for the food industry and labels for the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the sector wins two major awards, namely Gold in the Sustainability category at the 2021 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition, and the Innovations in Sustainability Award at the Flexographic Technical Association 2021 Sustainability Excellence Award competition. In addition, TC Transcontinental Packaging introduces its ASTRA Center dedicated to Art, Science and Technology for Research and Applications, located in Menasha, Wisconsin, (Transcontinental Menasha) while Transcontinental Advanced Coatings launches its technically superior Total Care medical components product portfolio.
The Media Sector continues to deliver excellent results and significantly increases its revenues and profitability. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, TC Transcontinental is a key active partner, providing substantial support to the education network, teachers and parents, with its digital and traditional platforms in response to the many challenges created by distance learning.
On December 9, François Olivier retires after 28 years with TC Transcontinental, the last 13 as President and Chief Executive Officer. On December 10, Peter Brues, a member of the Board of Directors of Transcontinental Inc. since 2018, succeeds him as President and Chief Executive Officer.

2022

TC Transcontinental ranks 16th on the Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, and first in the packaging industry. In June, the Company also ranks 16th among the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada. In addition, TC Transcontinental launches its 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Plan, reflecting its commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future.
In April, TC Transcontinental denounces the City of Montreal's intention to introduce an opt-in system for flyer distribution starting in May 2023. A bylaw to this effect was adopted in May and, in June, TC Transcontinental filed a motion to nullify the bylaw with the Superior Court of Quebec. In the case of the City of Mirabel, in April, the Superior Court rejected TC Transcontinental's motion to nullify its bylaw on the distribution of advertising material. It ceased door-to-door distribution of the Publisac and entrusted distribution in Mirabel to Canada Post, while the Company appealed the judgment.
TC Transcontinental Packaging expands its offering and network in the agro-industrial market in Latin America with the acquisition of Banaplast in Colombia (now Transcontinental Armenia). The sector is also named a 2022-2023 Top Performer by the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) in the Earth Defender category in recognition of its environmental commitment and leadership in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
TC Media enhances its portfolio of digital educational products with the acquisition of Scolab. Scolab is known for its educational platforms Netmath, available in English and French in Canada, and Buzzmath, available in the United States. The Media Sector also acquires ERPI, an educational publisher.
The Printing Sector is recognized at the Juno Awards as the winner of the 2022 Album Artwork of the Year category for its packaging design work for the Histoire sans paroles - Harmonium Symphonique vinyl box set.

2023

On June 7, the Board of Directors announces the appointment of Thomas Morin as President and Chief Executive Officer. He held the position of President of TC Transcontinental Packaging since 2019. The Board also confirms expanded roles for Isabelle Marcoux, now Executive Chair of the Board, and Donald LeCavalier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The year 2023 marks a major turning point for TC Transcontinental and its Publisac, launched in 1986. In 2022, the City of Montréal passed a bylaw banning the distribution of the Publisac, effective May 17, 2023. In April 2023, the company announces that it was reinventing the flyer in Montréal with the creation of a thin, quarter-folded leaflet combining the flyers of several retailers into a single printed product distributed by Canada Post. Officially launched in May, raddar® is complemented by its raddar.ca digital platform. In November, following its successful launch in Montréal, the Company announces the end of the Publisac and its gradual replacement across the province of Québec, between February and May 2024, by raddar®. At the same time, TC Transcontinental unveils the deployment of raddar® in certain areas of Ontario and British Columbia.
TC Transcontinental Printing invests $15 million in its book printing platform at its Beauceville (Interglobe) plant, to better meet North American market demand.
Investment of approximately C$80 million to develop leading-edge solutions for single-material recyclable flexible packaging. In addition to an innovative new film line that will produce biaxially oriented polyethylene (BOPE), a first in North America, the investment includes ancillary equipment and a 120,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.
TC Transcontinental Packaging wins three awards at the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards 2023, including Gold in the "Shelf Impact" category.
On the TC Media side, Groupe Constructo announces the launch of its Constructo VIP (Sales - Inventory - Sharing) marketplace platform, dedicated entirely to the Québec construction industry. Accessible throughout Québec and bilingual, it was designed to facilitate the rental and sale of surplus inventory, machinery, materials and more.
Launch of new employer brand: We’ve Got It Made. It reflects the strong culture we've had since the company was founded, and the fact that our people are at the heart of everything we do.
TC Transcontinental named "Company of the Year - Large Business" at Mercuriades 2023 for its successful transformation to flexible packaging, and honoured in the "Entrepreneurship - Large Business" category. This prestigious event is organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec.

2024

At the age of 83, Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental and member of the Board, did not seek re-election as a director. In recognition of his entrepreneurial career and his great contribution to the vision, growth and development of the Company in keeping with its values, the Board named him “Founder Emeritus”.
In February, the Packaging plant in Tomah, Wisconsin, ceases operations in order to optimize our network.
In April, closure of the Saint-Hyacinthe printing plant, acquired in 1979. This decision follows the end of Publisac, announced in November 2023, and its gradual replacement by the reinvented raddar® flyer printed in Montréal's Anjou borough. raddar® will also continue its expansion in British Columbia during the year.
Change of name for the Printing Sector to better illustrate its evolution and the scope of its many activities. It will henceforth be known as the Retail Services and Printing Sector.
A doubly festive month of September for TC Media. Commemoration of the 40th anniversary of TC Media Books and inauguration of TC Media's new workspace on Saint‑Denis Street in Montréal.
On October 28, sale of industrial packaging activities to Hood Packaging Corporation.
The Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative approved TC Transcontinental's near-term science-based emissions reduction targets. From now on, these targets will be used to measure the company's progress in achieving its sustainable development objectives, particularly in the areas of energy efficiency, clean energy procurement, and the commercialization of sustainable packaging solutions.