Our Past

Friesens head offices and plants are located in Altona, Manitoba, Canada.

The history of the company weaves a fascinating story that is inextricably linked to the town of Altona and the Friesen family.

In 1907, while Canada was still a young country, David W. Friesen bought a small confectionery store in Altona. The business served the local community. After several years in business he expanded and took on agencies for both the post office and the telephone system.

Altona was settled by the Mennonites. D. W. Friesen’s grandfather came in the first migration from Russia in 1874. His upbringing encouraged hard work, plain living and a strong sense of community and religion.

In 1923 he purchased the local retail bookstore. Despite his very limited schooling, he had a keen interest in reading books for self-improvement. This bookstore acquisition helped lead the company into the wholesale school supply business, in which it served small rural Manitoba schools. D. W. Friesen supplied schools with paper, pencils, erasers and books. It was during this decade that his three sons, David K., Ted E., and Raymond C. joined the company.

In 1933 the first small letterpress printing press was purchased, and a building rented. The first book produced by Friesens was a 100 page arithmetic book. Two pages of type were set by hand, and printed. The type was reset, and the next two pages printed. In 1941, the press was used to establish a local newspaper. It took a day and a half to print, collate and fold 2,000 copies of the eight-page weekly called the Red River Valley Echo.

As the company grew and began to employ more people, Mr. Friesen’s original business philosophy became more entrenched. D. W. retired from the company in 1949.

The company was incorporated in 1950, with his three sons and several employees being the shareholders. Soon thereafter, company benefits were established. The Pension Plan was one of the first benefits instituted. Later, Life and Disability insurance, Extended Health Care and Dental Coverage were added.

In the early 1960s, the Friesen sons implemented a Profit Sharing Plan. Ten percent of the pre-tax profit was distributed among all of the staff. In addition, all employees were invited to purchase shares in the company. More than forty years later, this invitation has transformed Friesens from a family-held firm, to an employee-held firm, with staff holding 100% of the shares in the company.

In 1958 a major expansion of the plant and equipment occurred. This set the stage for much more rapid growth in the 1960s and ‘70s, fueled primarily by school yearbooks. After printing a few local school yearbooks, the company branched out into Western Canada.

In 1970, a Packaging Plant was purchased, and Friesens began to manufacture the famous blue Birks boxes.

During the 80s and 90s Friesens expanded into trade books, picture books, art books, children’s books, educational text books, calendars and cookbooks. Success in these products established Friesens as one of the most progressive book manufacturers in Canada. Continuous expansion in plant and equipment created a technologically advanced book manufacturing plant.

In 1995 a name change and new divisional structure was implemented. The firm is now called Friesens Corporation. Divisions include: Book, Yearbook, Web, Retail and Fastprint.

What began as a small confectionery store in Southern Manitoba has grown to become a multifaceted enterprise employing over 600 people.

Despite its size, Friesens Corporation still prides itself on the basic principles of its founder. Friesens contributes heavily to the local community both in terms of employment and corporate donations and sponsorships. Friesens continues to hold the interests of its customers in the highest regard. After all, it was D. W. Friesen who said “Our company will be successful only if our customers are successful”.



	Our Past Friesens head offices and plants are located in Altona, Manitoba, Canada. The history of the company weaves a fascinating story that is inextricably linked to the town of Altona and the Friesen family. In 1907, while Canada was still a young country, David W. Friesen bought a small confectionery store in Altona. The business served the local community. After several years in business he expanded and took on agencies for both the post office and the telephone system. Altona was settled by the Mennonites. D. W. Friesen’s grandfather came in the first migration from Russia in 1874. His upbringing encouraged hard work, plain living and a strong sense of community and religion. In 1923 he purchased the local retail bookstore. Despite his very limited schooling, he had a keen interest in reading books for self-improvement. This bookstore acquisition helped lead the company into the wholesale school supply business, in which it served small rural Manitoba schools. D. W. Friesen supplied schools with paper, pencils, erasers and books. It was during this decade that his three sons, David K., Ted E., and Raymond C. joined the company. In 1933 the first small letterpress printing press was purchased, and a building rented. The first book produced by Friesens was a 100 page arithmetic book. Two pages of type were set by hand, and printed. The type was reset, and the next two pages printed. In 1941, the press was used to establish a local newspaper. It took a day and a half to print, collate and fold 2,000 copies of the eight-page weekly called the Red River Valley Echo. As the company grew and began to employ more people, Mr. Friesen’s original business philosophy became more entrenched. D. W. retired from the company in 1949. The company was incorporated in 1950, with his three sons and several employees being the shareholders. Soon thereafter, company benefits were established. The Pension Plan was one of the first benefits instituted. Later, Life and Disability insurance, Extended Health Care and Dental Coverage were added. In the early 1960s, the Friesen sons implemented a Profit Sharing Plan. Ten percent of the pre-tax profit was distributed among all of the staff. In addition, all employees were invited to purchase shares in the company. More than forty years later, this invitation has transformed Friesens from a family-held firm, to an employee-held firm, with staff holding 100% of the shares in the company. In 1958 a major expansion of the plant and equipment occurred. This set the stage for much more rapid growth in the 1960s and ‘70s, fueled primarily by school yearbooks. After printing a few local school yearbooks, the company branched out into Western Canada. In 1970, a Packaging Plant was purchased, and Friesens began to manufacture the famous blue Birks boxes. During the 80s and 90s Friesens expanded into trade books, picture books, art books, children’s books, educational text books, calendars and cookbooks. Success in these products established Friesens as one of the most progressive book manufacturers in Canada. Continuous expansion in plant and equipment created a technologically advanced book manufacturing plant. In 1995 a name change and new divisional structure was implemented. The firm is now called Friesens Corporation. Divisions include: Book, Yearbook, Web, Retail and Fastprint. What began as a small confectionery store in Southern Manitoba has grown to become a multifaceted enterprise employing over 600 people. Despite its size, Friesens Corporation still prides itself on the basic principles of its founder. Friesens contributes heavily to the local community both in terms of employment and corporate donations and sponsorships. Friesens continues to hold the interests of its customers in the highest regard. After all, it was D. W. Friesen who said “Our company will be successful only if our customers are successful”.



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