Smyth Companies breaks ground for new commercial printing facility

Minnesota-based Smyth Companies has broken ground for a new 30,800 square foot facility to house its commercial print division. The new building, in Austin, Minnesota, will consolidate operations currently being conducted in two buildings also located in Austin. Completion of the building is scheduled for June of 2008.  

Smyth has had a business presence in Austin since 1971, when it purchased Van Braend Printing, Inc. and took over its building on 10th Street. Since then, Smyth has run its commercial print division from this location, and although this older facility has worked well for the company, the consolidation of operations into a newer and more spacious building has been a goal for a few years.

‘We are really looking forward to operating out of this new facility, and gaining the production efficiency that comes along with that,’ said Duane Mortensen, COO of Smyth’s commercial print division. ‘We have planned for a move like this for some time now, and with the help of the DCA, the pieces fell into place.’ 

The DCA is the Development Corporation of Austin, an economic development association serving Austin and the southeastern Minnesota region. It is the DCA’s mission to invest in companies that have local ownership, and will contribute to the economic vitality of Austin and the region at large. The new Smyth facility will be in the new Cook Farm Industrial Park.

Honorary ground breakers at the ceremony included Austin mayor Thomas A. Stiehm; DCA chairman Craig Johnson; Smyth president Bill Hickey; Smyth-Commercial COO Duane Mortensen; Smyth-Commercial operations manager Gary Seira and Smyth-Commercial account executive Sean Mortensen. 

In addition to commercial printing, Smyth produces package labels and other printed products for in-store marketing including promotional labels and point-of-purchase displays. The company has production facilities in Minnesota, Virginia, and Colorado, and employs over 300 people.