“Quad Graphics is here to improve the quality of life for ourselves, for our communities where we live and work, and for all God’s creatures,” Harry Quadracci, founder of Quad Graphics, once said. “Underlying our day-to-day actions is our desire to make our surroundings better for our having been here.”

Quad Graphics is a nationally-operated printing company with one location in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.  Quad Graphics has approximately 800 employees in West Virginia. The plant runs a unique schedule with three days on and four days off.

Quad Graphics feels an important part of leadership development is learned through community service. 
The company performs values-based volunteering, where community service and volunteerism are built into the values of the company. 

The company’s corporate mission states, “We are a values-driven company committed to our clients, employees, owners, shareholders, communities and the environment.  As the industry leader, we take print to a higher level through service, quality and technological innovation.  We will grow profitability as the high value, low-cost producer.”

On a national level, Quad Graphics trains employees through its Leadership Development Program.  Each group of employees who go through the Leadership Development Program participate in community service projects and obtain resources needed to serve on their own. Locally, Quad Graphics does not have a structured volunteer program.  However, the company promotes volunteerism in many ways. 

Bill Klingelsmith, a recruiter for Quad Graphics, gives us an inside look at the company’s commitment to service.

“I cannot begin to tell you how many employees volunteer,” Klinglesmith said. “There are more little league coaches, scout masters, and more at the plant than I can count. When I attend a little league game in Berkeley County, it’s almost like going to work. When an employee gets a taste of volunteering, he or she enjoys the experience and wants to continue volunteering.”

Quad Graphics encourages its employees to volunteer with organizations for which they feel passionate. Therefore, the company’s employees serve a wide variety of organizations. The company tries to be a resource for employees who are looking for community service opportunities in the region by providing them with a list of organizations and contact information for those organizations. 

As a whole, Quad Graphics is a large supporter of the United Way.  Employees are encouraged to participate in the organization’s widely-recognized Day of Caring project.   

Quad Graphics also supports a local community pride organization called Brooklyn Community Pride.  Employees are also encouraged to recycle and the plant periodically hosts a community recycling drive.   The plant recycles the items donated and provides the profits to Brooklyn Community Pride. 

Quad Graphics provides employees an opportunity to donate fiscally to nonprofit organizations.  Money can be given as a one-time gift or be taken out of an employee’s paycheck at each pay period.  At the end of the year, just before Christmas, Quad Graphics writes a check to a nonprofit of an employee’s choice. The money that employees donate is matched by the company, which provides the nonprofit double the original donation.   

“This program is a perfect way to give to multiple charities because your money goes twice as far,” Klinglesmith said.

Quad Graphics’ Windhover Foundation donates on a larger scale across the nation.  On a local level, the Windhover Foundation has provided resources for a local recreation center and the West Virginia University Hospitals-East.

Quad Graphics recognizes employees’ volunteer efforts through several company-wide celebrations each year.

Quad Graphics does not solicit media coverage for their volunteer projects.

“Quad Graphics performs community service because it is the right thing to do, not for any type of reward,” Klinglesmith said. 

For more information about Quad Graphics, visit www.qg.com.