2024 Annual Report
Quad 2024 Annual Report
Quad focused on delivering strong full-year 2024 results as
we continued to gain recognition as a marketing experience
company that solves complex marketing challenges for
our clients. Quad’s financial results reflect our disciplined
operating approach, which was bolstered by our flexible
operating model and higher manufacturing productivity.
This approach enabled us to increase profitability margins
despite macroeconomic challenges such as postage cost
increases on print mailings and elevated interest rates. We
also continued to be a strong cash generator, using Free
Cash Flow and cash from asset sales to further strengthen
our balance sheet through ongoing debt reduction.
Notably, we reduced Net Debt by $684 million or 66%
since January 1, 2020, and achieved debt leverage near
the low end of our debt leverage range of 1.5x to 2.0x. We
also used this cash to amplify strategic investments in
innovative solutions and superior talent, both of which are
critical to advancing our revenue diversification strategy on
our path to Net Sales growth.
This communication contains financial measures
not prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (referred to as
non-GAAP), specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin,
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free
Cash Flow, Net Debt and Debt Leverage Ratio.
The Company believes that these non-GAAP
measures, when presented in conjunction with
comparable GAAP measures, provide additional
information for evaluating Quad’s performance
and are important measures by which Quad’s
management assesses the profitability and
liquidity of its business. These non-GAAP
measures should be considered in addition to,
not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings
(loss) as a measure of operating performance or
to cash flows provided by operating activities
as a measure of liquidity. These non-GAAP
measures may be different than non-GAAP
financial measures used by other companies.
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial
measures to GAAP financial measures can be
found on pages 44, 47 and 48 of our digital Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2025.
Additionally, they can be found on pages 46, 51,
and 52 of Quad’s printed 2024 Annual Report.
1. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings
(loss) excluding interest expense, income
tax expense, depreciation and amortization
(“EBITDA”), and restructuring, impairment
and transaction-related charges, net. EBITDA
Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are
defined as either EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA
divided by net sales.
2. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided
by operating activities less purchases of
property, plant and equipment.
3. Debt Leverage Ratio is defined as Net Debt
divided by the last twelve months of Adjusted
EBITDA.
4. Net Debt is defined as total debt and
finance lease obligations less cash and cash
equivalents.
Forward-looking statements in this letter and
Annual Report are subject to safe-harbor
provisions as explained on page 1 of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
All data as of December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted
2024 Year-in-Review
Capital
Expenditures
$57M
Adjusted
EBITDA1
$224M
Free
Cash Flow 2
$56M
Debt Leverage
Ratio3
1.6x
Net Debt Reduction4
Since January 1, 2020
$684M
Clients Across
Diverse Industries
2,500+
$2.7B Net Sales
Quad 2024 Annual Report
To Our
Shareholders
As we reflect on 2024, I want to express my gratitude for your
continued support and confidence in Quad. I am pleased
by all that we achieved during the year as we continued to
gain momentum and distinction as a marketing experience,
or MX, company. Quad remains steadfast in our strategic
vision, leveraging our integrated marketing platform to
drive diversified growth; optimize marketing efficiencies;
and create value for our clients, employees, and you, our
shareholders.
We are a company that helps brands connect directly with
consumers at home, in-store and online. As we explained
during our 2024 Investor Day, our solutions simplify the
complexities of marketing and drive better business
outcomes for our clients, such as realizing cost efficiencies,
improving speed-to-market, strengthening marketing
effectiveness and delivering value on investments.
As we continue to build on our
momentum as an MX company,
we intend to ensure Quad remains
a compelling, long-term investment.
Quad 2024 Annual Report
Our MX Solutions Suite seamlessly integrates Creative,
Production and Media solutions across physical and digital
channels and is supported by data-driven Intelligence and
state-of-the-art Technology.
MX: Intelligence
Our Intelligence offering, which is centered on our
proprietary, household-based data stack, provides
strategic insights for smarter marketing decisions. Built
on transparency, trust and respect for privacy, our data
stack is used to generate enhanced audience intelligence,
activation and integration across all media channels.
MX: Creative
Our Creative offering, led by our Betty creative agency,
addresses every step of the creative process, from
ideation to execution. Backed by our own global
production team, we provide quick-turn design and
production support around the clock.
MX: Production
Our Production capabilities deploy content to physical
and digital channels — a major point of differentiation
among our competitive set. Our print operations feature
the latest in automation and technology to produce both
large-scale and targeted print products. Our Managed
Services leverage these capabilities and trusted vendors
to simplify client workflows, decrease costs and reduce
the number of partners needed to execute work.
MX: Media
Our Media offering, provided by our Rise media agency,
supports all traditional and digital touchpoints with
full-funnel brand and performance marketing solutions.
Our data-backed solutions help clients identify the
best channels for reaching consumers with targeted
messages at the moments they are most likely to engage
across paid, owned and earned touchpoints.
MX: Tech
Our client-facing Technology solutions connect
marketing strategy, global content creation, analytics
and optimized media performance across all channels.
We analyze a client’s current-state workflow and
performance, and then create tailored solutions to
centralize assets, optimize processes and accelerate
market entry.
In 2024, we continued to enhance our solutions through the
power of our proprietary, household-based data stack.
Audience data is core to doing business, and we have built
a data stack that includes demographic, transactional,
attitudinal and behavioral characteristics, as well as
proprietary identifiers, or “passions,” related to consumer
interests. These passions are unique to Quad and are linked
to our mailstream data, so we know exactly what is being
requested in-home and, therefore, of interest and value to
the recipient.
An End-to-End Marketing Experience
Quad’s MX Solutions Suite
Data & Analytics
Testing & Measurement
Brand Strategy & Design
Content Creation
& Studios
In-Store & Packaging
Print & Managed
Services
Digital &
Direct Marketing
Client
Technology
MX:
Intelligence
MX:
Tech
MX:
Production
MX:
Media
MX:
Creative
Commerce Marketing
Health Marketing
Finance Marketing
Quad 2024 Annual Report
We continue to invest in our data stack to ensure it is future-
focused and AI ready. In 2024, we entered into a partnership
with Google Cloud to leverage its AI optimization capabil
ities and large language models. We intend to create new AI-
driven solutions that efficiently leverage our data stack and
seamlessly connect it with clients’ creative and media assets
to further enable personalization at scale.
Our data stack, innovative technology and integrated
solutions enable our clients to connect the right message
with the right audience at the right time and place. We
recently launched At-Home Connect, which modernizes
the direct mail channel with an intelligent, automated
platform that connects online engagement and offline
impact. Using highly personalized trigger-based direct
mail, marketers can drive consumers further along
their purchasing journeys — converting abandoned
online shopping carts into completed sales, winning
back lapsed customers, encouraging the purchase of
additional or upgraded items, and more. Similarly, our
in-store retail media network, In-Store Connect, drives
consumer engagement in brick-and-mortar stores
through digital screens and kiosks that deliver engaging
messages and promotions across the shopper journey.
Our differentiated offering improves outcomes for our
clients as they move seamlessly across all our services.
We continue to see growth from our integrated strategy,
with approximately 85% of our U.S. clients purchasing
more than one of our products or services during 2024.
Our integrated MX Solutions Suite is also leading to higher
value, higher margin work from leading brands across
multiple verticals. For instance, in January 2025, our brand
design work for Titleist’s flagship Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf
balls debuted in market. This work leveraged the power of
our Betty creative agency and its brand design arm, Favorite
Child, and used Quad’s proprietary Accelerated Marketing
Insights platform to pre-market test creative, messaging
and packaging. Also in early 2025, we won integrated work
with Spirit of Gallo — the fourth largest spirits supplier by
volume in the United States. We are applying our data stack
to conduct audience intelligence services and manage media
spend in out-of-home, social and connected TV channels.
Quad’s brand design work for Titleist’s flagship Pro V1 and
Pro V1x golf balls leveraged the power of our Betty creative
agency and its brand design arm, Favorite Child, and used
our proprietary Accelerated Marketing Insights platform
to pre-market test creative, messaging and packaging.
Our integrated MX Solutions Suite is leading to higher value, higher margin work
from leading brands across multiple verticals.
Quad 2024 Annual Report
2024
Financial Results
Financial results included:
•
Net Sales of $2.7 billion in 2024, a decrease of 9.7%
compared to 2023, primarily due to lower paper
sales and lower print volumes, including the impact
from client mix and increased gravure volume
that has a lower unit price with a higher profit
margin, as well as lower agency solutions sales,
including the loss of a large grocery client.
•
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $224 million in 2024
compared to $234 million in 2023, due to lower Net Sales
and $11 million of unfavorable foreign exchange impacts
in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.
•
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA Margin improvement
of 48 basis points, from 7.9% in 2023 to 8.4% in 2024,
primarily due to benefits from improved manufacturing
productivity and savings from cost reduction initiatives.
•
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $113
million in 2024 compared to $148 million in 2023,
and $56 million of non-GAAP Free Cash Flow in
2024 compared to $77 million in 2023. This decline
was mainly driven by reduced working capital
benefits, partially offset by a $14 million decrease
in capital expenditures; however, we also generated
$71 million of cash from asset sales in 2024.
•
Debt Leverage Ratio improvement to 1.6x at year-
end 2024 from 2.0x at year-end 2023, near the
low end of our newly established target leverage
range of 1.5x to 2.0x. Since January 1, 2020, we
have reduced Net Debt by $684 million or 66%.
Quad’s full-year results reflect our disciplined operating
performance, including increased profitability margins
and continued strong cash generation that we used to
further reduce debt, despite an expected decrease in Net
Sales. Throughout 2024, we advanced on our revenue
diversification strategy and introduced our midterm
outlook, including a return to Net Sales growth between
2027 and 2028.
Quad has enhanced brands’ ability to connect with consumers
through the launch of At-Home Connect, an intelligent,
automated direct mail platform, while continuing to build
sales momentum for its In-Store Connect retail media network,
which features digital screens (shown at left) that deliver
engaging messages and promotions.
Quad 2024 Annual Report
Quad’s household-based data stack
represents 97% of the adult U.S. population
and tracks more than 20,000 attributes,
including demographic, transactional,
attitudinal and behavioral characteristics, as
well as proprietary identifiers, or “passions.”
Households
121M
Attributes +
Profile Types
20,000
of the Adult
U.S. Population
97%
250M Consumers
Real People,
Real Data
2025 Financial Objectives
As we continue to build on our momentum as
an MX company, we intend to ensure Quad
remains a compelling, long-term investment.
Our financial objectives in 2025 include:
•
Grow new sales and drive higher profitability through
continued diversification of our revenue and clients.
With our expanded offerings, there is a
significant addressable and growing revenue
opportunity with both our large base of 2,500
existing clients, as well as new clients.
•
Shift our capital allocation priorities, using our
strong cash generation to amplify our strategic
investments in innovation and accelerate our
offerings to drive future diversified revenue
growth. We will also increase the return of capital
to shareholders through our quarterly dividend,
which we increased in the first quarter of 2025
by 50%, and opportunistic share repurchases.
•
Maintain low debt leverage, with the expectation
that we will decrease our Debt Leverage Ratio from
1.6x at the end of 2024 to approximately 1.5x by
the end of 2025, achieving the low end of our long-
term targeted debt leverage range of 1.5x to 2.0x.
Quad 2024 Annual Report
Looking
Ahead
Entering 2025, I remain confident in our team, our strategy
and our future as a marketing experience company as we set
new standards for the industry. We will continue to advance
our marketing solutions by driving innovation and product
development, which will enhance our new and existing
client partnerships. Not only are we able to remove friction
from wherever it occurs in the marketing journey, but we
also optimize media and marketing performance through
integration.
On behalf of the entire Quad team, thank you for your trust
and investment in our company. We appreciate your support
and look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Sincerely,
J. Joel Quadracci
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Begins on the opposite page
Quad 2024 Annual Report
2024 Form 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-34806
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
39-1152983
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089-3995
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(414) 566-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Class
Trading Symbol
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.025 per share
QUAD
The New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an
emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☒
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☒
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any
new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal
control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared
or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the
filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the class A common stock (based on the closing price of $5.45 per share on the New York Stock Exchange) on June 28,
2024, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, held by non-affiliates was $169,029,977. The registrant’s
class B common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an organized over-the-counter market, but each share of the registrant’s
class B common stock is convertible into one share of the registrant’s class A common stock.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding as of January 31, 2025
Class A Common Stock
39,085,712
Class B Common Stock
13,261,983
Class C Common Stock
—
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
[This page has been left blank intentionally.]
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
FORM 10-K INDEX
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Page No.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Part I
Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
Item 1A.
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
Item 2.
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
Part II
Item 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . .
37
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . .
119
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
119
Item 9B.
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120
Part III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
121
Item 11.
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
121
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
121
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
122
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
122
Part IV
Item 15. . . . . Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123
Item 16 . . . . Form 10-K Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
129
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
131
i
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i
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent any statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain information that is not historical,
these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the objectives, goals, strategies,
beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, prospects, projections and outlook of Quad/Graphics, Inc. (the “Company” or
“Quad”), and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,”
“anticipate,” “plan,” “foresee,” “believe” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms, variations on them and other
similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future
events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks, uncertainties and
other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking
statements. Among risks, uncertainties and other factors that may impact Quad are those described in Part I, Item 1A,
“Risk Factors,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented in Part II, Item 1A,
“Risk Factors,” of the Company’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the following:
•
The impact of increased business complexity as a result of the Company’s transformation to a marketing
experience company, including adapting marketing offerings and business processes as required by new
markets and technologies, such as artificial intelligence;
•
The impact of decreasing demand for printing services and significant overcapacity in a highly competitive
environment creates downward pricing pressures and potential under-utilization of assets;
•
The impact of increases in its operating costs, including the cost and availability of raw materials (such as
paper, ink components and other materials), inventory, parts for equipment, labor, fuel and other energy
costs and freight rates;
•
The impact of changes in postal rates, service levels or regulations;
•
The impact macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and elevated interest rates, as well as postal rate
increases, tariffs, trade restrictions, cost pressures and the price and availability of paper, have had, and may
continue to have, on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations
(including future uncertain impacts);
•
The inability of the Company to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet
market conditions;
•
The impact of a data-breach of sensitive information, ransomware attack or other cyber incident on the
Company;
•
The fragility and decline in overall distribution channels;
•
The failure to attract and retain qualified talent across the enterprise;
•
The impact of digital media and similar technological changes, including digital substitution by consumers;
•
The failure of clients to perform under contracts or to renew contracts with clients on favorable terms or at
all;
•
The impact of risks associated with the operations outside of the United States (“U.S.”), including trade
restrictions, currency fluctuations, the global economy, costs incurred or reputational damage suffered due
to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or agents, and geopolitical events like war and terrorism;
1
•
The impact negative publicity could have on our business and brand reputation;
•
The failure to successfully identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions, investment opportunities
or other significant transactions, as well as the successful identification and execution of strategic
divestitures;
•
The impact of significant capital expenditures and investments that may be needed to sustain and grow the
Company’s platforms, processes, systems, client and product technology, marketing and talent, to remain
technologically and economically competitive, and to adapt to future changes, such as artificial intelligence;
•
The impact of the various restrictive covenants in the Company’s debt facilities on the Company’s ability to
operate its business, as well as the uncertain negative impacts macroeconomic conditions may have on the
Company’s ability to continue to be in compliance with these restrictive covenants;
•
The impact of an other than temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value that could lead to
non-cash impairment charges due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible
assets;
•
The impact of regulatory matters and legislative developments or changes in laws, including changes in
cyber-security, privacy and environmental laws; and
•
The impact on the holders of Quad’s class A common stock of a limited active market for such shares and
the inability to independently elect directors or control decisions due to the voting power of the class B
common stock.
Quad cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive and you should
carefully consider the other factors detailed from time to time in Quad’s filings with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and other uncertainties and potential events when reviewing the Company’s forward-
looking statements.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except to the extent
required by the federal securities laws, Quad undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
2
PART I
Item 1.
Business
Overview
Quad is a marketing experience (MX) company that simplifies the complexities of marketing, removing friction
from wherever it occurs along the marketing journey. Its results-driven approach enables stronger marketing operations
that lead to real, repeatable success for clients. The Company does this through its MX Solutions Suite, which is
flexible, scalable and connected. Quad tailors its solutions to each client’s objectives, driving cost efficiencies,
improving speed to market, strengthening marketing effectiveness and delivering value on investments.
Quad’s footprint spans 14 countries, with 86 global facilities inclusive of 38 manufacturing and distribution
facilities. The Company supports a diverse base of approximately 2,500 clients, including industry-leading blue-chip
companies that serve both businesses and consumers across multiple industry verticals, with a particular focus on
commerce, including retail, consumer packaged goods and direct-to-consumer; financial services; and health. Quad
prides itself on its long-standing relationships, with its largest clients averaging more than 24 years in duration. In 2024,
its 10 largest clients accounted for approximately 20% of consolidated sales, with none representing more than 5%
individually.
Quad was founded in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, as a Wisconsin corporation, in 1971 by the late Harry V.
Quadracci. For many years, the Company operated as Quad/Graphics and focused on commercial printing. It grew
rapidly and built a premier print manufacturing and distribution platform. Beginning in 2018, the Company accelerated
its transformation to an MX company through strategic investments in marketing services, talent and technology, and, in
2019, evolved its brand from Quad/Graphics to Quad. Today, Quad is one of the nation’s largest marketing services
providers. With the strength of its Rise media agency and its Betty creative agency, Quad ranks as one of the largest
agency companies in the U.S. according to Ad Age (2024). Its robust manufacturing platform also ranks it as one of the
largest commercial printers in North America, according to Printing Impressions (2024).
Quad’s unique engagement model complements brands’ way of working. Whether as a full-service marketing
partner, an outsourced extension of a marketing department, or executional support for an agency, Quad’s depth of
expertise, breadth of integrated capabilities and expansive reach empower brands to:
•
Unlock actionable audience insights to identify consumer passions, optimize marketing strategies and
enhance campaign precision.
•
Deliver creative quality at scale with cohesive, impactful brand experiences across all channels.
•
Streamline production complexity across the marketing supply chain, reducing costs, boosting efficiency
and accelerating speed-to-market.
•
Drive omnichannel effectiveness with cross-channel activations that engage consumers at home, in-store
and online.
•
Maximize efficiency with cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), that automates
workflows, enhances performance and personalizes customer experiences at scale across offline and online
channels.
3
In 2024, the Company focused on delivering strong financial results while navigating multiple issues in the
macroeconomic environment, including postage cost increases on print mailings and elevated interest rates. Despite
these challenges, Quad worked to mitigate impacts on its business while proactively managing client expectations. Quad
believes it will be able to maintain a leading competitive position through its consistent long-term business strategy,
which is driven by dedicated, passionate and highly skilled employees, and by providing stability and innovative
solutions for clients into the future.
More information regarding Quad is available on the Company’s website at quad.com. Quad is not including
the information contained on or available through its website as part of, or incorporating such information by reference
into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-
Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public at no charge
through a link appearing on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. Quad provides access to such
materials through its website as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing
it to, the SEC.
Principal Capabilities
Quad’s MX Solutions Suite provides a comprehensive range of marketing and print services, seamlessly
integrating creative, production and media solutions across online and offline channels. Powered by advanced
intelligence and technology, this suite empowers brands to connect with their target audiences across households, in-
store and online.
MX: Intelligence
Quad’s MX: Intelligence solutions unlock strategic insights for its clients to help them make smarter marketing
decisions. The Company’s audience analytics and segmentation services leverage Quad’s proprietary, household-based
data stack — representative of more than 250 million consumers — to create models driven by behavior-based
“passions” of current customers and optimize prospecting for new ones so clients can reach their ideal audiences. The
Company believes these passions to be a true differentiator among the industry as they are based on reliable, resilient
data that is proprietary to Quad. The Company offers a full suite of testing services, which can gauge the effectiveness
of media across channels. In-market media testing empowers clients to incrementally improve their media planning and
placement strategy, and increase their return on investment. Quad also provides pre-market creative research and testing
services through its Accelerated Marketing Insights offering, which comprises a variety of virtual and experiential testing
environments, including insights gleaned from neuroscience and expert panelists. This comprehensive offering delivers
reliable, data-driven intelligence in a fraction of the time traditional methods require, and at a lower cost, in support of
packaging, in-store, direct marketing and related solution services. Through this methodology, brands can optimize the
messaging, creative treatment and design format for their marketing before it goes live to enhance audience engagement,
improve product performance, and minimize costly market corrections.
MX: Creative
Quad’s creative offering addresses every step of the creative process, from ideation to execution. These
services are powered by the Company’s strategists, creative and art directors, photographers, videographers, premedia
specialists, graphic designers, animation experts and copywriters. Quad’s brand strategy and design services include
brand positioning, design strategy, naming and brand mark design, visual identity creation, retail environment support,
packaging design and brand roll-out execution. Through in-depth strategic brand research, the Company takes time to
truly understand each client’s unique brand voice and positioning. It then applies these findings to craft compelling
creative campaigns that solve the brand’s real-time problems and lead to desired consumer actions. Quad’s global
platform and advanced technology support always-on premedia and adaptive design capabilities for creative and digital
execution, image and color management, and prepress/premedia tasks. The Company also has an international network
of 17 studios to help brands create unique and ownable content through photography, motion, computer generated
imagery (CGI), automated 3D scanning and audio recording for activation across every channel in the marketing mix.
This full-service offering is housed under Betty, Quad’s creative agency.
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MX: Production
Quad offers a wide range of production capabilities for deploying content to offline (i.e., physical) and online
channels – a major point of differentiation among the Company’s competitive set. Quad’s print operations feature the
latest in automation and technology complemented by skilled manufacturing professionals. The Company can produce
large-scale print products, such as magazines, retail inserts and directories, as well as targeted print products, such as
catalogs, direct mail, in-store signage and displays, and high-end packaging.
Quad also has vertically integrated print and non-print capabilities that help improve the quality, cost and
availability of key inputs in the printing and distribution processes. For example, the Company has its own prepress/
premedia services, paper procurement, ink manufacturing (through its subsidiary Chemical Research/Technology), and
logistics and transportation services (through its in-house Quad Transportation Services division and Duplainville
Transport trucking division), which it leverages to lower costs and enhance customer service for its clients while
providing Quad with substantial control over critical links in the overall print supply chain.
Quad complements its production capabilities through its Managed Services offering. Applying its deep
industry knowledge, expansive network and substantial purchasing power, Quad helps clients manage their operations
the way it runs its own – with diligence, efficiency and highly competitive costs.
MX: Media
Quad provides data-led, strategic media planning and placement services that support all traditional and digital
touchpoints to foster direct consumer connections in-home, in-store and online. The Company activates on a complete
suite of full-funnel brand and performance marketing solutions. Quad leverages more than $3.0 billion in the
marketplace, enabling the Company to provide cost-efficient and effective options across all channels. Media services
are supported by Quad’s proprietary, household-based data stack and Connections Planning, a comprehensive approach
to connecting clients with consumers through deep exploration of audience behavior. This generates an experiential plan
to help clients identify channels for most effectively reaching consumers with targeted messages in the moments they are
most receptive and likely to engage across paid, owned and earned touchpoints to drive business outcomes. The
Company’s offering includes advanced analytics and campaign measurement solutions like media mix and tactical media
effectiveness models to gauge how all media across the marketing funnel are performing, providing data-backed
guidance on how to incrementally optimize media spend. This full-service offering is housed under Rise, Quad’s media
agency.
MX: Tech
The Company’s client-facing technology solutions help brands connect marketing strategy, global content
creation, analytics and optimized media performance across offline and online channels. Quad applies a people-process-
technology approach that first analyzes a client’s current-state workflow and performance, then creates tailored solutions
to centralize assets, optimize processes and accelerate speed to market. For instance, the Company’s ContentX planning
and content management platform empowers clients to strategize, plan and manage campaigns, and personalize at scale
across any channel. Quad’s Publishing Solutions platform optimizes magazine planning and streamlines print operations
management by connecting sales, editorial and production departments for straightforward editions to complex regional
and demographic versions. The Company’s At-Home Connect solution automates direct mail personalization, printing,
mail sorting and in-home delivery, which simplifies and expedites marketers’ ability to create deeper, more direct
connections with consumers. These automations can be triggered by activities and events such as loyalty anniversaries
and lifestyle preferences, or opportunities such as winning back lapsed customers, converting abandoned shopping carts,
or upselling or cross-selling items. Through its In-Store Connect retail media solution, Quad elevates the shopping
experience in physical stores by helping brands deliver engaging messages and targeted promotions right at the shelf – a
critical moment in the purchasing decision.
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Industry and Competition
With its one-of-a-kind integrated marketing platform, Quad competes in both the advertising and marketing
services industry, and in the commercial printing industry. The Company’s breadth of connected solutions and its ability
to both strategically consult and execute at scale, positions Quad in a unique space beyond that of just a manufacturer or
traditional agency. This positioning expands the Company’s competitive set to include large agency holding companies,
independent agencies and marketing consultants, as well as print management firms and commercial printers.
Advertising and Marketing Services
The advertising and marketing services industry is highly fragmented, with competition based on companies’
ability to adapt quickly to new advertising platforms and technology, including AI; leverage data and analytics to deliver
personalized advertising experiences; develop comprehensive proposals to secure client contracts; create unique and
effective multichannel marketing campaigns; demonstrate spend effectiveness by monitoring and reporting on clients’
marketing campaign results; provide favorable pricing; access talent; and offer superior customer service.
Consumer media consumption habits are constantly evolving. The ongoing emergence of new marketing
channels has caused audiences to become increasingly segmented. As a result, advertising and marketing services
providers must expand their capabilities to create effective multichannel campaigns for their clients, and providers face
increased client demand to offer integrated, end-to-end marketing services (i.e., from strategy and creative through
execution). These trends greatly influence Quad’s ongoing efforts to help brands reduce the complexities of working
with multiple agency partners and vendors, increase marketing process efficiency and maximize marketing effectiveness.
Quad believes that its deeply connected solutions address modern marketers’ most pressing issues, positioning it
to compete effectively in this highly competitive industry.
Commercial Printing
The commercial printing industry also remains highly fragmented, with competition based on pricing;
availability of materials, including paper (which may be more limited in the future as a number of mills reduce graphic
paper production capacity in favor of other product lines, such as paperboard); quality; distribution capabilities, including
the ability to reduce postage costs; customer service; access to labor, especially highly skilled labor; availability to
schedule work on appropriate equipment; on-time production and delivery; ability to maintain and adopt state-of-the-art
technology; and ability to offer additional marketing services to meet a client’s business objectives.
The commercial printing industry has moved toward shorter, on-demand, personalized print runs; faster product
turnaround; and increased production efficiencies of products with lower page counts and increased complexity. This —
combined with increases in postage and paper costs, as well as marketers’ increasing use of online marketing and
communication channels — has led to excess manufacturing capacity.
Within its manufacturing operations, Quad benefits from managing several very large facilities (greater than one
million square feet) that produce multiple product lines under one roof, which maximizes utilization of equipment and
labor resources while also driving cost savings. Additionally, the Company continually strengthens its manufacturing
operations through leading-edge technologies such as digital presses that enhance targeted print products; wide-web
presses that maximize labor productivity; and advanced equipment and automation, including automated guided vehicles
and robotic palletizers that support high-quality, low-cost production. Due to these factors, economies of scale, a strong
balance sheet and access to capital markets, Quad has been able to provide a competitive offering that meets clients’
manufacturing needs.
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Seasonality
Quad is subject to seasonality in its quarterly results as net sales and operating income are higher in the second
half of the calendar year as compared to the first half of the calendar year. The fourth quarter is typically the highest
seasonal quarter for cash flows from operating activities and Free Cash Flow due to the reduction of working capital
requirements that reach peak levels during the third quarter. Seasonality is driven by increased catalogs and retail inserts
primarily due to back-to-school and holiday-related advertising and promotions. The Company expects seasonality
impacts to continue in future years.
Competitive Advantages
Quad’s MX Solutions Suite is powered by three primary competitive advantages that the Company believes
distinguish it from its competitors: integrated marketing platform excellence, intentional innovation and a commitment to
operate responsibly.
Integrated Marketing Platform Excellence
Quad’s integrated marketing platform encompasses all the resources brands and marketers need to plan, create,
deploy, measure and optimize their marketing efforts across any media channel — from household to in-store to online.
Accordingly, the Company can guide clients through every effort intended to drive an action, from consumer awareness
and trust, to brand preference and purchase.
Connected Solutions
While the Company’s products and services are organized into distinct solutions suites, they are intentionally
crafted to complement one another. For instance, the Company’s decades in print production provides household-level
insights that fuel Quad’s differentiated data stack. This data, in turn, drives the Company’s ability to strategically craft
effective omnichannel media campaigns for its clients. Similarly, combining the Company’s creative prepress
capabilities with Quad’s robust marketing platform enables brand-consistent print deliverables at both volume and
velocity.
Its breadth of solutions enables Quad to integrate where others cannot and deliver specialists where they are
needed most. The Company has built its business around clients’ needs, selling comprehensive solutions to problems –
not just standalone products and services. Quad’s integrated selling approach brings together experts from its
manufacturing business and agencies to remove friction wherever it occurs in a client’s marketing ecosystem. This
approach results in cross-category sales and expanded growth opportunities that deeply engrain the business in a client’s
marketing operations. For instance, clients using the Company’s Betty agency for creative campaigns can leverage its
Rise agency to craft a customized media strategy for connecting the right audiences using the optimal channels at the
time consumers are most likely to engage. The Company continues to see growth in this integrated strategy, with
approximately 85% of its U.S. clients purchasing more than one product or service during 2024.
Agency Expertise
Quad offers complete media and creative agency of record services through its Rise and Betty agencies. Both
agencies tailor their approach to match the way modern marketers buy media and creative services. Fully integrated with
the rest of Quad, Rise and Betty provide frictionless access to the Company’s comprehensive portfolio of marketing
solutions.
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Rise
Rise helps brands and marketers drive greater business results via digital and traditional media strategy,
planning, buying and optimization. Through its origins as a performance media company, Rise executes full-funnel
media activation with unified measurement at its core, holding all media accountable for business outcomes. The agency
does not own principal-based positions in media (i.e., buying discounted ad inventory and selling it to clients at a
markup). Quad’s data stack backs the agency’s media services with reliable, household-level insights and passions
without the customary taxes and hidden fees marketers often incur. Rise’s media buying and placement is channel
neutral and leverages the best data, platform and partners for a client’s unique needs. The agency prioritizes transparency
by conducting log-level analysis of its media. Clients receive information about each ad request, bid and impression so
they can clearly understand how their media inventory is delivered across different channels.
Betty
Betty answers the market need for an integrated and flexible creative solution that provides scalable execution
without sacrificing quality or effectiveness. It combines a boutique agency approach with Quad’s production power to
deliver high quality, culturally relevant creative at high volumes – all while maintaining a client’s individual brand
integrity. Betty prides itself on being people obsessed, applying a combination of proprietary, client and third-party data
to conduct in-depth research on consumer trends to help clients best define, design and position their brands and
marketing efforts. Its global network of photography and video production studios perform in-studio and on-location
services – several of which operate directly within or near client facilities – and enable the agency to collaborate closely
with clients to rapidly generate superior, scalable, on-brand content.
Global Platform
Quad’s Rise and Betty agencies are backed by global production resources that provide around-the-clock
services. Quad’s global production team enables quick-turn design and production support, executing responsibilities
such as page assembly, retouching, color correction and design to reduce turnaround times, and provide the scalability
that differentiates the creative agency. In addition to Rise’s Mexico City team, which executes complete agency of
record (AOR) media services, Rise’s team in India conducts data intelligence work for creating resonant media plans that
maximize business results for clients.
Managed Services
Quad’s Managed Services offering deepens partnerships with clients by acting as a seamless extension of their
marketing operations. Leveraging Quad’s broad production capabilities and network of trusted vendor partnerships with
integrated client services, technology and process design, Managed Services provides clients with advisory and
execution-level support to simplify their workflows, decrease costs and reduce the number of partners needed to execute
their work.
Quad begins with a consultative review of a client’s marketing operations, including its processes, technology,
resources, costs and purchase execution practices. The Company then creates tailored solutions that address identified
process optimization opportunities. Managed Services operations combine Quad’s robust manufacturing platform and
expansive supplier network to produce a client’s marketing collateral. These services extend beyond print to packaging,
in-store signage, branded goods and an array of other marketing services.
Quad deploys on-site and near-site client-dedicated teams that integrate directly into a client’s internal
marketing and purchasing departments. These teams fulfill critical execution roles ranging from content creation and
creative production to purchase execution and marketing deployment across all channels. This team structure simplifies
marketing for clients and enables them to focus on what they do best: selling more products, services and/or content.
Quad has more than 400 professionals embedded within approximately 50 client dedicated on-site and near-site teams.
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Intentional Innovation
Founded on the belief that there is always a better way to do business, Quad applies a disciplined approach to
product development and innovation (PDI) that intentionally identifies needle-moving opportunities that can improve the
Company’s revenue and margins. Led by an interdepartmental committee of leaders, the Company focuses on new or
expanded solutions that either close a gap, meet an underserved need in the marketplace, or provide significant time and
cost efficiencies to internal workflows. Quad then strategically invests in the needed talent, technology and capabilities
to activate these solutions.
Key areas of innovation that differentiate Quad from its competitors include the following:
Proprietary Data Stack
Powered by its extensive print manufacturing business, Quad possesses a proprietary, household-based data
stack that represents approximately 97% of the U.S. adult population and 92% of U.S. households. The Company
believes this household information is uniquely resilient to the industry headwinds impacting other data offerings. Since
the majority of Americans have only one home address, and that address must be readable by a mail carrier to complete
daily deliveries, Quad’s data stack ensures that insights are derived from real people, not bots, randomized device IDs or
random email addresses. From insights driven by its data stack, Quad develops proprietary “passions” that highlight the
interests of that household and inform target audience identification. While the data stack is founded on household data,
it was created with an open architecture to easily ingest supplemental data from new clients and/or vendor partners.
Bolstered by this data, Quad’s stack consists of more than 3 billion data points that are revalidated weekly, representing
more than 20,000 consumer attributes across demographic, behavioral, attitudinal and transactional data sets.
As announced in 2024, Quad is partnering with Google Cloud to leverage AI optimization capabilities and large
language models for creating new AI-driven solutions that tap into the data stack and seamlessly connect it with clients’
creative and media assets. These AI solutions will streamline access to Quad’s audience-targeting capabilities to further
monetize its unique data stack.
In-Store Connect by Quad
Through decades supporting retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) clients in print and creative
services, Quad has established itself as an expert in crafting impactful consumer journeys within physical retail
environments. As the marketing ecosystem continues to rapidly evolve and brands rely heavily on multi-channel media
plans across online and offline platforms, Quad is positioning itself to lead the charge in creating a new retail experience.
The boom of retail media networks (RMNs) has unleashed exciting new possibilities for brands, and companies are
shifting their marketing plans accordingly, with eMarketer predicting ad spend in omnichannel RMNs will grow to
nearly $100 billion by 2028. Quad is tapping into the power of RMNs by taking the traditional digital marketing funnel
and bringing it into the store environment where U.S. shoppers make more than 80% of their retail purchases.
Launched in 2024, In-Store Connect by Quad positions digital screens and kiosks throughout a physical store,
giving retailers and CPG companies more impactful opportunities to deliver relevant promotions, share key product
information and connect adjacent product options to shoppers, thus enhancing the overall shopping experience. By
providing direct connections with shoppers at strategic locations throughout the store, the solution generates greater
product awareness to influence decisions in real-time and drive sales. In-Store Connect combines Quad’s deep retail
knowledge, extensive CPG network and scalable creative excellence with the hardware and software capabilities
provided through its 2023 acquisition of DART Innovation, providing an end-to-end in-store RMN offering.
The Company is focused on building out a nationwide network of mid-market grocery clients, with testing
currently ongoing in 30 stores as of December 31, 2024. Early testing results are promising, with stores seeing
significant product and category-level sales lifts. As the Company continues to build its client portfolio, it is also
exploring applications in other retail verticals such as department stores, home improvement stores and convenience
stores.
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Postal Optimization
A continued focus of innovation and investment for Quad is geared toward addressing postage rate increases.
Postage is the most significant client cost to manufacture and deliver printed marketing materials, representing up to 70%
of costs for some clients, and Quad believes that these high costs directly influence clients’ print and mail quantities.
Quad is a leading partner with the United States Postal Service (USPS), mailing more than 5.9 billion pieces of
marketing materials annually, which represents approximately 9.8% of the USPS’ yearly marketing mail and periodical
volume. Quad believes it is uniquely positioned to offer superior mail services and is continually creating innovative
services to address this significant cost, including:
•
Co-mailing: The Company’s co-mail program expedites distribution by sorting and bundling multiple printed
products at once for the USPS in exchange for work-sharing discounts and providing savings for publishers,
marketers and retailers.
•
MergedMail™: This print-to-carrier solution uses a standard mailing format and Quad’s co-mailing abilities to
produce completely personalized direct mail while maximizing postal savings. The solution, powered by
Quad’s print expertise and scalable solutions, supports weekly print runs.
•
Household Fusion™: This first-to-market mail packaging solution combines multiple pieces from different
marketing or periodical mailers into a single package delivered to one address, resulting in incremental postage
savings.
These solutions are supported by Quad’s team of postal experts who work closely with the USPS to allow
clients to better leverage USPS promotions and incentives and receive further savings. The team services clients on an
individual basis to determine eligibility and make the necessary changes in production and mailing processes to qualify
for these increasingly complicated savings opportunities.
Operating Responsibly
The Company seeks to operate responsibly by relying on its distinct corporate culture, which evolved from a
core set of Values conceived by the Company’s late founder, Harry V. Quadracci, and are focused on creating a better
way forward. These Values, which prioritize “believe in people,” “do the right thing” and “urgently innovate,” drive
thoughtful decision making, especially around Quad’s disciplined approach to managing operations, solutioning for
clients, and supporting employees and the communities where they work and live.
Quad’s Culture
Believing in its people, Quad empowers each employee to think like an owner and do what they can to put the
client first and make it easy to work with the Company at every touchpoint. Regardless of job title, Quad encourages
employees to engage in its “maker” culture, embracing attention to detail and committing to continuous improvement by
identifying opportunities, however small, to improve processes and create efficiencies.
Quad promotes a culture of constant collaboration where employees share ideas with others inside and outside
of their immediate department and/or business area. Employees’ close, personal relationships foster inter-departmental
partnerships and trust that speed up the Company’s ability to urgently innovate and evolve as an MX company.
Doing the right thing means creating an environment where all employees feel welcome and able to bring their
best selves to work every day. The Company’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are one way Quad lives out this
Value, providing space for employees of shared backgrounds and interests to support one another and convey their
perspectives and feedback with Company leadership. Quad currently has nine BRGs supporting women, military
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veterans and their families, differently abled employees and caregivers, employees facing mental health challenges, the
LGBTQIA+ community, Black employees, Hispanic / Latino employees, working parents, and employees of
multicultural demographics.
Human Capital Management
The Company continually invests in and supports its employees and the areas in which it operates. Building
confident, skilled and knowledgeable talent and strong community partnerships are essential to Quad’s continued
success.
Attracting, Developing and Retaining Highly Qualified Talent
Given Quad’s belief that its talent stands as a major differentiator among its competition, the Company invests
heavily in efforts to attract, develop and retain employees, and in tools, technologies, processes, training and education to
increase engagement, and drive productivity enhancements and efficiencies across the entire organization.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately 12,200 full-time equivalent (“FTE”) employees in
the following geographies:
Geographic Region
Number of FTE
Employees
North America (Includes Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9,800
Europe, Middle East and Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,500
South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
700
Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
200
By fostering a culture of empowerment in a welcoming environment, offering career growth and mentorship
opportunities, and providing competitive pay and innovative benefits, Quad believes employees are more fully engaged
in their day-to-day activities and produce better results for clients.
•
Employee Experience: The Company applies a holistic strategy to engage individuals throughout the
employee lifecycle — from onboarding through career development and, ultimately, retirement. Through
timely, transparent communications, employees are kept well-informed and engaged in the Company’s
culture and strategic direction. Quad’s open-door culture, along with regular surveys, offer multiple
avenues for feedback to further enhance the employee experience. The Company’s various recognition
programs provide motivation and a sense of purpose while helping employees understand the impact of
their daily work. The Company’s many coordinated efforts are intended to create a productive and engaged
workforce where employees are excited to come to work and contribute to Quad’s success, as well as
promote Quad as an employer of choice in their communities.
•
Career Training and Growth: To maintain and engage its highly skilled workforce, the Company provides
employees with educational tools and skills courses through an easy-to-use, on-demand learning platform.
Employees are also encouraged to take advantage of the Company’s employee growth and development
programs, including: Accelerated Career Training, a fast-track for career advancement in manufacturing
positions; Corporate Trainee Program, a rotation-based offering that develops skills and leadership
abilities through a series of agency and corporate administration positions; hands-on, mentor-led
manufacturing apprenticeships; and Leading Within Quad, which focuses on best-in-class managerial
behaviors. These programs not only teach critical on-the-job and leadership skills, but also help employees
respond to rapid change, cultivate effective networks, and create high-quality relationships necessary for
personal, professional and Company growth.
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•
Competitive Pay and Innovative Benefits: Employees are hired into jobs with competitive wages and
innovative benefits. The Company regularly evaluates its pay practices and structures to ensure it is
competitive in the markets where it operates, and equitable based on employees’ experience, job
responsibilities, performance and business results. Beyond traditional, expected benefits, the Company
offers expansive health and wellness benefits, including:
◦
QuadMed, the Company’s wholly owned health and wellness subsidiary, which provides a
differentiated set of benefits for Quad employees and dependents through on-site and near-site
primary and specialty health centers; no-cost virtual primary care across all 50 states; and a
nationwide behavioral health program with in-person and virtual counseling. Beyond Quad itself,
QuadMed provides worksite healthcare solutions nationally for approximately 30 employers of all
sizes and across multiple industries, including private and public sector employers.
◦
The Company’s QLife Wellness program, which provides educational resources, interactive
webinars and regular communications around physical, emotional, financial and social well-being
topics.
Building Strong Communities
The Company believes partnering with local communities creates a catalyst for movement and change, which
benefits those outside of Quad’s walls while helping the Company maintain a positive reputation as the kind of business
people choose to work for, do business with, invest in and call a true neighbor. Supporting community activities,
initiatives and organizations also demonstrates the Company’s Values in action, which fosters pride and employee
engagement.
The four key objectives that guide the Company’s community impact from strategic investment of finances,
volunteerism and in-kind services in community organizations are:
•
Lessen the use of natural resources and impact on the environment;
•
Provide academic and educational opportunities, and experiential learning for more people;
•
Ensure that Quad reflects the communities where its employees live and work, as well as the clients who
trust Quad with their business; and
•
Support programs that improve employees’ mental and physical health.
Environmental
Quad seeks to operate in an environmentally responsible manner that better serves the environment and reflects
the values of its clients and their customers. The Company’s environmental efforts promote sustainable resource
consumption, focusing on the following areas:
•
Recycling: Quad applies a mentality of refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle throughout its internal processes to
limit the amount of waste it creates. In 2023 (the most recent year for which data has been tabulated), the
Company’s U.S. manufacturing facilities recycled 97.7% of their industrial wastepaper and other solid
waste.
•
Energy and Emissions: The Company participates in nationwide and statewide programs to enhance its
efforts to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions. These include being a founding partner of the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program, being ISO 50001 Ready through the U.S. Department of
Energy at some of its largest manufacturing plants, and participating in the State of Wisconsin’s Focus on
Energy Program.
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•
Responsible Forestry: The Company maintains chain-of-custody certifications for sourcing materials from
responsibly managed forests (i.e., Forest Stewardship Council®, Sustainable Forest Initiative, and Program
for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and partners with clients to increase certified paper usage. In
2023 (the most recent year for which data has been tabulated), nearly 89% of all the Company’s printed
products and packaging were sustainably sourced from certified third-party organizations.
The Company benchmarks its environmental performance regularly to evaluate the effectiveness of current
environmental management programs and to identify program areas that need improvement or need to be developed.
As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, Quad is subject to various federal, state
and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions; waste generation, handling,
management and disposal; sanitary and storm water discharge; and remediation of contaminated sites. Historically,
compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations,
financial position or cash flows. Compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations may require the
Company to make future expenditures.
Corporate Governance
Effective corporate governance has been a part of Quad since its founding and is informed by the Company’s
Values, especially “do the right thing,” which strengthens partnerships, reduces risk and creates sustainable value for the
Company long term. Governance starts at the highest level of the Company with oversight by the Board of Directors,
which is responsible for minimizing risk while maximizing the effectiveness of Quad’s business strategy. Key tenets of
Quad’s governance strategy include:
•
Family Leadership: As of January 31, 2025, the Quadracci family, through the Quad/Graphics, Inc.
Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement (“Quad Voting Trust”), has voting control of
approximately 72% of the Company’s outstanding shares. The Company believes this governing structure
provides continued stability and flexibility to achieve its long-term strategic vision.
•
Risk Management: Led by an executive risk steering committee, Quad’s Enterprise Risk Management
program strategically identifies potential risks to the business and conducts appropriate response planning.
Risk management is a highly collaborative process at Quad as cross-functional teams help recognize the
ripple effects a situation could have across the Company’s interconnected operations.
•
Employee Compliance: Employees are required to take an active role in ethics and compliance. Each year,
all employees take a suite of compliance trainings on topics that include the Code of Conduct, anti-
harassment, conflict of interest, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), data privacy,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), information security, physical
security, acceptable use policy for technology assets, and anti-bribery and anti-corruption. Employees can
discreetly report violations to the Code of Conduct through multiple easy-to-use channels, including a 24/7
anonymous Ethics and Compliance Hotline.
•
Supplier Code of Conduct: The Company maintains a Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure suppliers,
vendors, contractors, consultants, agents and other providers of goods and services follow the Company’s
policies related to business integrity, ethical labor and human rights practices, associate health and safety,
and environmental management. This code also includes anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies.
•
Data Security: Quad continually updates and strengthens its information and data security program to
address the fast-changing threat landscape and ensure proper oversight. The program includes ongoing
employee education to ensure the security of physical and digital workspaces, protect the privacy of
valuable data, identify potential phishing and malware threats, and avoid risky behaviors.
13
Financial Objectives
Quad follows a disciplined approach to maintaining and enhancing financial strength to create shareholder
value. This strategy is centered on the Company’s ability to drive profitable growth and maximize net earnings, Free
Cash Flow and operating margins; maintain consistent financial policies to ensure a strong balance sheet, liquidity level
and access to capital; and retain the financial flexibility needed to strategically allocate and deploy capital as
circumstances change. The priorities for capital allocation and deployment are balanced according to prevailing
circumstances and what the Company thinks is best for shareholder value creation at any point in time. These priorities
currently include increasing growth investments as an MX company to fuel net sales growth, maintaining low debt
leverage to ensure long-term financial strength, and increasing return of capital to shareholders through dividends and
share buybacks. The Company’s disciplined financial approach and strong, trusted banking relationships allows it to
maintain sufficient liquidity and to reduce refinancing risk, such as with Quad’s successful 2024 refinancing of its Term
Loan A and Revolving Credit Agreement.
Quad applies holistic continuous improvement and lean enterprise methodologies to further streamline its
processes and maximize operating margins. These same methodologies are applied to its selling, general and
administrative functions. The Company continually works to lower its cost structure by consolidating manufacturing
operations into its most efficient facilities, as well as realizing purchasing, mailing and logistics synergies by centralizing
and consolidating print manufacturing volumes, and eliminating redundancies in its administrative and corporate
operations. Quad believes that its focused efforts to be a high-quality, low-cost producer generates increased Free Cash
Flow and allows the Company to maintain a strong balance sheet through debt reduction.
Patents, Trademarks and Trade Names
Quad operates research and development facilities that support the development of new equipment, process
improvements, raw materials and content management, and distribution technologies to better meet client needs and
improve operating efficiencies. The Company continues to innovate within the printing and print-related industry and, as
a result, has developed what it believes to be one of the most powerful patent portfolios in the print industry.
Quad currently holds or has rights to commercialize a wide variety of worldwide patents and applications
relating to its business. The Company intends to continue to file patent applications that it believes will help ensure the
continued strength of the Company and its portfolio. Additionally, the Company markets products, services and
capabilities under a number of trademarks and trade names. Quad aggressively defends its intellectual property rights
and intends to continue to do so in the future.
Raw Materials
The primary raw materials that Quad uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. The price and
availability of paper has been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by paper mills’ permanent or temporary
closures; paper mills’ access to raw materials, conversion to produce other types of paper, and ability to transport paper
produced; and tariffs and trade restrictions. At this time, the Company’s supply of raw materials are available from
numerous vendors; however, based on previously mentioned market conditions, the current supply is under pressure due
to supply chain disruptions and inflation. The Company generally buys these raw materials based upon market prices
that are established with the vendor as part of the procurement process.
Approximately half of the paper used in the printing process is supplied directly by the Company’s clients. For
those clients that do not directly supply their own paper, the Company makes use of its purchasing efficiencies to supply
paper by negotiating with leading paper vendors, uses a wide variety of paper grades, weights and sizes, and does not
rely on any one vendor. In addition, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for
paper and other critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk,
higher paper prices and tight paper supplies, as well as changes in the United States import or trade regulations, may
have an impact on client demand for printed products. The Company’s working capital requirements, including the
impact of seasonality, are partially mitigated through the direct purchasing of paper by its clients.
14
The Company produces the majority of ink used in its print manufacturing, allowing it to control the quality,
cost and supply of key inputs. Raw materials for the ink manufacturing process are purchased externally from a variety
of vendors.
The Company may not be able to fully pass on to clients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy
prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in energy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of its
operations. The Company mitigates its risk through natural gas hedges when appropriate. In its logistic operations,
however, the Company is able to pass a substantial portion of any increase in fuel prices directly to its clients.
Information About Our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the names, ages (as of January 31, 2025) and positions of Quad’s executive
officers.
Name
Age
Position
J. Joel Quadracci . . . . .
56
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Eric N. Ashworth . . . . .
59
Executive Vice President of Product and Market Strategy
Anne M. Bauer . . . . . . .
60
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Julie A. Currie . . . . . . .
61
Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer
Joshua J. Golden . . . . . .
53
Chief Marketing Officer
Dana B. Gruen . . . . . . .
50
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
David J. Honan . . . . . . .
56
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Steven D. Jaeger . . . . . .
60
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Donald M. McKenna . .
52
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Robert H. Quadracci . . .
57
Chief Human Resources Officer
Anthony C. Staniak . . .
52
Chief Financial Officer
Kelly A. Vanderboom .
50
Executive Vice President and Treasurer; Head of Agency Operations
Mr. J. Joel Quadracci has been a director of Quad since 2003, its President since January 2005, its President and
Chief Executive Officer since July 2006 and its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2010.
Mr. Quadracci joined Quad in 1991 and, prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer, served in various
capacities, including Sales Manager, Regional Sales Strategy Director, Vice President of Print Sales, Senior Vice
President of Sales and Administration, and President and Chief Operating Officer. He serves on the board of directors
for Plexus Corp., Pixability, Inc., Road America, Inc., the National Association of Manufacturers and the Metropolitan
Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Milwaukee Art Museum and on
the advisory council of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Mr. Quadracci received a B.A. in Philosophy from
Skidmore College in 1991. Mr. Quadracci is the brother of Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., a director of Quad and
President of QuadMed, the brother-in-law of Christopher B. Harned, a director of Quad, and the first cousin of Robert
Quadracci, Chief Human Resources Officer.
Mr. Ashworth has served as Executive Vice President of Product and Market Strategy since joining Quad in
2015 and as President of Quad Agency Solutions since April 2016. Prior to joining Quad, Mr. Ashworth was President
of SGK, Inc. (formerly Schawk, Inc.) from July 2012 to July 2015; Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of SGK from
September 2009 to July 2012; and Global Chief Growth Officer of Anthem Worldwide (a division of SGK) from
November 2003 to 2010. Prior thereto, Mr. Ashworth was Co-founder and President of BlueMint Associates from June
2002 through November 2003, after serving in various marketing roles at Fitch San Francisco, Addis Interaction, Levi
Strauss & Co., Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive and National Semiconductor. Mr. Ashworth is a board member of Uniting
Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) and The BrandLab, a nonprofit organization that works to increase
diversity in the marketing industry.
15
Ms. Bauer has served as Vice President since January 2022 and Chief Accounting Officer since March 2017.
She previously served as Director - Corporate Controller of Quad from May 2016 until March 2017 and then as
Executive Director and Chief Accounting Officer until January 2022. She joined Quad in September 2011, serving as
Director of Corporate Accounting until May 2016. Prior to joining Quad, Ms. Bauer held various accounting positions at
Journal Communications, Inc., during her 18 years there, including Vice President and Controller from June 2000 until
September 2011.
Ms. Currie has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer since November 2020. She
previously served as Executive Consultant of FCM, LLC from 2019 to 2020. Prior thereto, Ms. Currie served in multiple
senior leadership roles at Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, including as Senior Vice
President, Global Retail Product Leadership from 2016 to 2019; as Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty Commercial
Director from 2012 to 2016; as Senior Vice President, Global Business Services North America from 2008 to 2012; as
Vice President, National Accounts Group Client Director from 2003 to 2007; and as Vice President, Group Client
Director from 2001 to 2003. Ms. Currie serves on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County,
Illinois.
Mr. Golden has served as Chief Marketing Officer since July 2021. Prior to joining Quad, Mr. Golden was the
President & Publisher of Ad Age from 2016 to 2021. Prior thereto, Mr. Golden served as Vice President of Global
Digital Marketing for Xerox from March 2015 to June 2016; as Chief Marketing Officer of Story Worldwide from
September 2011 to March 2015; as Chief Digital Officer of Grey Group from September 2010 to September 2011; as
Managing Director of Digital at Havas from December 2007 to September 2010; as Group Director of Digital Marketing
for NBC Universal from January 2006 to December 2007; and as Head of Digital at Young & Rubicam from November
2000 to January 2006. Mr. Golden serves on the board of directors of the National Epilepsy Foundation.
Ms. Gruen has served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer since
February 2023. Joining Quad’s legal department in 2007 as Employment Counsel, she advanced to Assistant General
Counsel in 2014; Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2015; Vice President, Deputy General
Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in 2016; Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance and
Risk Officer in 2020; and Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer in 2022.
Prior to joining Quad, Ms. Gruen was an associate at Foley & Lardner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal (now part of
Dentons), and Seyfarth Shaw.
Mr. Honan has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2022. His
previous roles at Quad were Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2015 to December 2021;
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from March 2014 to January 2015; Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer from July 2010 to March 2014; Vice President and Corporate Controller from December 2009 to July 2010; and
Corporate Controller from when he joined Quad in May 2009 to December 2009. Currently, he serves on the advisory
board of FM Global. Prior to joining Quad, Mr. Honan served as Vice President, General Manager and Chief Financial
Officer of Journal Community Publishing Group, a subsidiary of diversified media company Journal Communications
Inc., for five years, and held executive-level roles in investor relations and corporate development at Newell Brands, a
global marketer of consumer and commercial products. Prior thereto, Mr. Honan worked at the accounting firm Arthur
Andersen LLP for 11 years.
Mr. Jaeger has served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer since November 2015. He previously
served as Executive Vice President, President of Direct Marketing and Chief Information Officer from November 2014
to November 2015; as Executive Vice President, President of Direct Marketing and Media Solutions and Chief
Information Officer from March 2014 to November 2014; as Corporate Vice President of Information and Technology
since 2013; as Vice President of Information Systems and Infrastructure from 2007 to 2012; and as President of Quad/
Direct from August 2007 until 2013. Prior thereto, Mr. Jaeger served as Quad’s Vice President of Information Systems
from 1998 to 2006 and worked in various other capacities since he joined the company in 1994. Prior to joining Quad,
Mr. Jaeger worked for Andersen Consulting for eight years.
16
Mr. McKenna has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since January 2022. He
previously served as Senior Vice President of Sales Administration from August 2018 to January 2022; Vice President of
Sales Administration from June 2013 to August 2018; and Product Planning Manager from March 2010 to June 2013.
Prior to joining Quad, Mr. McKenna worked at J.S. Eliezer Associates, a print consulting firm in Stamford, Conn.,
beginning in 1998 and was named President of the firm in 2004, the leadership role he maintained until joining Quad in
2010.
Mr. Robert Quadracci has served as Chief Human Resources Officer since February 2023. Previously, he was
Vice President of Human Resources - Sales, Marketing & Quad Agency Solutions from January 2022 to February 2023;
Executive Director – Human Resources from 2014 to 2022; and Human Resources Director from 1999 to 2014. Prior to
joining Quad, Mr. Quadracci worked at Edison International as a Project Manager, Workforce Management and
Corporate Redeployment from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Quadracci is the first cousin of J. Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Quad, and Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., a director of Quad and President of
QuadMed.
Mr. Staniak has served as Chief Financial Officer since January 2022. Previously, he served as Vice President
of Finance from March 2017 until January 2022. Joining the company in 2009 as Director of External Reporting, Mr.
Staniak was subsequently named Director of Internal Audit in 2011; Executive Director – Financial Controller in 2013;
Chief Accounting Officer in 2014; and Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in 2015. Prior to joining Quad, Mr.
Staniak was Chief Financial Officer of data consulting firm Sagence, Inc. He began his career at the accounting firm
Arthur Andersen LLP in 1995. Mr. Staniak is a member of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
is a member of the board of directors for the Zoological Society of Milwaukee and for the Volunteer Center of
Washington County.
Mr. Vanderboom has served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer since 2018 and Head of Quad Agency
Solutions Operations since March 2023. Mr. Vanderboom also serves on the board of QuadMed and provides executive
oversight for Quad Paper Services. Since joining Quad in 1993, he has served in various leadership capacities, including
Controller of Parcel Direct, a freight expediting subsidiary sold to FedEx in 2004; Treasurer, beginning in 2007; Vice
President, beginning in 2008; Vice President of the Program Management Office (PMO) from 2012 to 2014 and 2019 to
2023; and President of Logistics from 2014 to 2023.
Executive officers of Quad are elected by and serve at the discretion of Quad’s Board of Directors. Other than
described above, there are no family relationships between any directors or executive officers of Quad.
17
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information
contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment decision with respect to Quad’s securities.
If any of the following risks develop into actual events, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Quad’s Business, Operations and Industry
The Company’s transformation to a marketing experience company increases the complexity of the Company’s
business, and if the Company is unable to successfully adapt its marketing offerings and business processes as
required by new markets and technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Company will be at a competitive
disadvantage and its ability to grow will be adversely affected.
As the Company continues to expand its integrated marketing platform, the overall complexity of the
Company’s business continues to increase and the Company continues to become subject to different market dynamics.
The new markets into which the Company is expanding, or may expand, may have different characteristics from the
markets in which the Company historically competed. These different characteristics may include, among other things,
demand volume requirements, demand seasonality, product generation development rates, client concentrations and
performance and compatibility requirements. The Company’s failure to make the necessary adaptations to its business
model to address these different characteristics, complexities and new market dynamics could adversely affect the
Company’s operating results. In addition, with rapid changes in technology affecting the marketing and advertising
industry, including generative artificial intelligence, the Company may not accurately predict trends, identify use cases,
adapt its marketing offerings and business processes, or make the technological adaptations or investments necessary to
stay competitive in these new markets.
Decreases in demand for printing services caused by factors outside of the Company’s control, including the
substitution of printed products with digital content, prior and any future recessions and other macroeconomic
conditions, as well as significant downward pricing pressure, may continue to adversely affect the Company.
The Company and the overall printing industry continue to experience a reduction in demand for printed
materials and overcapacity due to various factors including the sustained and increasing shift of digital substitution by
marketers and advertisers (to both replace and augment campaigns that were historically focused on print), as well as
macroeconomic conditions and prior recessions (which severely impacted print volumes and further accelerated the
impact of media disruption). The impacts of overcapacity, as well as intense competition, have led to the Company
experiencing significant downward pricing pressures for printing services in recent years and such pricing may continue
to decline from current levels. Any future increases in the supply of printing services or decreases in demand could
cause prices to continue to decline, and prolonged periods of low prices, weak demand and/or excess supply could have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s business growth, results of operations and liquidity.
The media landscape is experiencing rapid change due to the impact of digital media and content on printed
products. Improvements in the accessibility and quality of digital media through the online distribution and hosting of
media content, mobile technologies, e-reader technologies, digital retailing and the digital distribution of documents and
data has resulted and may continue to result in increased consumer substitution. Continued consumer acceptance of such
digital media, as an alternative to print materials, is uncertain and difficult to predict and may decrease the demand for
the Company’s printed products, result in reduced pricing for its printing services and additional excess capacity in the
printing industry, and adversely affect the results of the Company’s operations.
18
The Company may be adversely affected by increases in its operating costs, including the cost and availability of raw
materials (such as paper, ink components and other materials), inventory, parts for equipment, labor, fuel and other
energy costs and freight rates.
The price of raw materials used by the Company has fluctuated over time and has caused fluctuations in the
Company’s net sales and cost of sales. This volatility may continue and the Company may experience increases in the
costs of its raw materials in the future as prices are expected to remain beyond its control.
The primary raw materials that the Company uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. The price and
availability of paper may also be adversely affected by paper mills’ permanent or temporary closures; paper mills’ access
to raw materials, conversion to produce other types of paper (which a number of paper mills have done or are doing), and
ability to transport paper produced; and tariffs and trade restrictions. The price and availability of ink and ink
components may be adversely affected by the availability of component raw materials, labor and transportation, as well
as by tariffs and trade restrictions.
Approximately half of the paper used by the Company is supplied directly by its clients. For those clients that
do not directly supply their own paper, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for
paper and other critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk,
higher paper prices and tight paper supplies, as well as changes in the United States import or trade regulations, may
have an impact on client demand for printed products. If the Company passes along increases in the cost of paper and
the price of the Company’s products and services increases as a result, client demand could be adversely affected, and
thereby, negatively impact the Company’s financial performance. If the Company is unable to continue to pass along
increases in the cost of paper to its clients, future increases in paper costs would adversely affect its margins and profits.
Due to the significance of paper in the Company’s print business, it is dependent on the availability of paper. In
periods of high demand, certain paper grades have been in short supply, including grades used in the Company’s
business. In addition, during periods of tight supply, many paper producers allocate shipments of paper based upon
historical purchase levels of clients. Additionally, the declining number of paper suppliers has resulted in a contraction
in the overall paper manufacturing industry. This contraction of suppliers may cause overall supply issues, may cause
certain paper grades to be in short supply or unavailable, and may cause paper prices to substantially increase.
Although historically the Company generally has not experienced significant difficulty in obtaining adequate
quantities of paper, continued decline in suppliers, changes in United States import or trade regulations, paper mills’
reduction of graphic paper production capacity in favor of other product lines, or other developments in the overall paper
markets could result in a decrease in the supply of paper and could adversely affect the Company’s revenues or profits.
In addition, the Company may not be able to resell waste paper and other by-products or the prices received for their sale
may decline substantially.
The Company is dependent upon the vendors within the Company’s supply chain to maintain a steady supply of
inventory, parts for equipment and other materials. Many of the Company’s products are dependent upon a limited
number of vendors, and the price and availability of inventory, parts and other materials, such as printing plates, could be
adversely affected by supply chain disruptions, such as from labor pressures; tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and trade
restrictions; distribution challenges; and macroeconomic conditions. The Company may not be able to fully pass on to
clients the impact of higher supply chain prices on its manufacturing costs. Under current market conditions, it is
possible that one or more of the Company’s vendors will be unable to fulfill their operating obligations due to financial
hardships, liquidity issues or other reasons.
The Company may not be able to fully pass on to clients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy
prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in energy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of its
operations.
19
Labor represents a significant component of the cost structure of the Company. Increases in wages, salaries and
the cost of medical, dental, pension and other post-retirement benefits have in the past and may continue to impact the
Company’s financial performance. Changes in interest rates, investment returns or the regulatory environment have and
may continue to impact the amounts the Company will be required to contribute to the pension plans that it sponsors and
may affect the solvency of these pension plans. The Company may be unable to achieve labor productivity targets, to
retain employees or labor may not be adequately available in locations in which the Company operates, which could
negatively impact the Company’s financial performance.
Freight rates and fuel costs also represent a significant component of the Company’s cost structure. In general,
the Company has been able to pass along increases in the cost of freight and fuel to many of its clients. If the Company
is not able to pass along a substantial portion of increases in freight rates or in the price of fuel, future increases in these
items would adversely impact the Company’s margin and profits. If the Company passes along increases in the cost of
freight and fuel and the price of the Company’s products and services increases as a result, client demand could be
adversely affected, and thereby, negatively impact the Company’s financial performance.
Changes in postal rates, postal regulations and postal services may adversely impact clients’ demand for print
products and services.
Postal costs are a significant component of the cost structures of many of the Company’s clients and potential
clients. Postal rate changes and USPS regulations that result in higher overall costs can influence the volume that these
clients will be willing to print and ultimately send through the USPS.
Integrated distribution with the USPS is an important component of the Company’s business. Any material
change in the current service levels provided by the postal service could impact the demand that clients have for print
services. In September 2024, the USPS held a pre-filing conference to further reduce service standards. These changes
required an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (“PRC”), which was issued in January 2025,
urging the USPS to reconsider its plan. However, the USPS is still expected to implement the changes in 2025,
regardless of the advisory opinion issued. In addition to the reduce service standards, the USPS has also issued reduced
service performance targets for 2025. Almost all letters and flats targets were reduced, some as much as 15% lower than
2024 targets (i.e. First Class Letters three to five day on time performance target was reduced from 90% down to 80%).
The USPS offers “work-share” discounts that provide incentives to co-mail and place product as far down the
mail-stream as possible. Discounts are earned as a result of less handling of the mail, and therefore, lower costs for the
USPS. As a result, the Company has made substantial investments in co-mailing technology and equipment to ensure
clients benefit from these discounts. If the incentives to co-mail are decreased by USPS regulations, the overall cost to
mail printed products will increase and may result in print volumes declining.
Federal statute requires the PRC to conduct reviews of the overall rate-making structure for the USPS to ensure
funding stability. As a result of those reviews, the PRC authorized a five year rate-making structure that provides the
USPS with additional pricing flexibility over the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) cap, which has resulted in a substantially
altered rate structure for mailers. The revised rate authority that is effective as a result of the rules issued by the PRC
includes a higher overall rate cap on the USPS’ ability to increase rates from year to year. The USPS has used these
additional rate authorities to implement twice a year increases. This will continue to lead to price spikes for mailers and
may also reduce the incentive for the USPS to continue to take out costs and instead continue to rely on postage to cover
the costs of an outdated postal service that does not reflect the industry’s ability or willingness to pay. Given the
significant amount of concern that has been expressed by the mailing industry, in April 2024, the PRC opened a
proceeding to start the next rate system review, which is still underway. The Company believes the continued use of all
available rate authority by the USPS will continue to increase the potential volume declines as rate predictability with
respect to cost is no longer known for mailers. The result may be reduced demand for printed products as clients may
move more aggressively into other delivery methods, such as the many digital and mobile options now available to
consumers. The PRC began reviewing the 5-year structure in 2024, which is still underway, and resulting rate reductions
may take years to finalize.
20
Macroeconomic conditions could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial conditions,
cash flows and results of operations.
Macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and elevated interest rates, postal rate increases, tariffs, trade
restrictions, cost pressures and the price and availability of paper, have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact
on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. For instance, the Company was
negatively impacted in 2024 by higher interest rates, the price and availability of paper, and postage rate increases, along
with the previously described industry challenges.
Demand for the Company’s products and services, in general, is highly related to general economic conditions
in the markets the Company’s clients serve. Declines in economic conditions in the United States or in other countries in
which the Company operates, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions and/or geopolitical events, may
adversely impact the Company’s financial results, and these impacts may be material. Economic weakness and
constrained advertising spending have resulted, and may in the future result, in decreased revenue, operating margin,
earnings and growth rates and difficulty in managing inventory levels and collecting accounts receivable. The Company
has experienced, and expects to experience in the future, excess capacity and lower demand due to economic factors
affecting consumers’ and businesses’ spending behavior, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions, tariffs, trade
restrictions and/or other geopolitical events. This, or uncertainty or disruptions in global credit and banking markets,
might cause the Company to not be able to continue to have access to preferred sources of liquidity when needed or on
terms the Company finds acceptable, and the Company’s borrowing costs could increase.
The Company expects inflationary cost pressures, tariffs and trade restrictions, to potentially continue in 2025
and the Company may not be able to fully mitigate the impact of the rising inflationary cost pressures through price
increases. Continuing or worsening inflation and/or tariffs and trade restrictions may have a material adverse impact on
the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and/or results of operations.
In addition, adverse weather or natural disasters, epidemics, other public health crises, conflicts, terrorist
attacks, fires or other catastrophic events affecting the Company’s plants, distribution centers or other facilities, could
also materially disrupt the Company’s operations and result in an adverse impact on its financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
The Company operates in a highly competitive environment.
The advertising and marketing services industries are highly competitive and are expected to remain so. Any
failure on the part of the Company to compete effectively in the markets it serves could have a material adverse effect on
its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could require changes to the way it conducts its business or
require it to reassess strategic alternatives involving its operations.
The Company operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry, which is highly
fragmented and competitive in both the United States and internationally. The Company competes for business not only
with large and mid-sized printers, but also with smaller regional printers and the growing forms of digital alternatives to
print. In certain circumstances, due primarily to factors such as freight rates and client preference for local services,
printers with better access to certain regions of a given country may be preferred by clients in such regions.
Some of the industries that the Company services have been subject to consolidation efforts, leading to a
smaller number of potential clients. Furthermore, if the smaller clients of the Company are consolidated with larger
companies using other printing companies, the Company could lose its clients to competing printing companies.
21
The Company may not be able to reduce costs and improve its operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market
conditions.
Because the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive, the Company will need to
continue to improve its operating efficiency in order to maintain or improve its profitability. There can be no assurance
that the Company’s continuing cost reduction efforts will continue to be beneficial to the extent anticipated, or that the
estimated productivity, cost savings or cash flow improvements will be realized as anticipated or at all. If the
Company’s efforts are not successful, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations and competitive
position. In addition, the need to reduce ongoing operating costs have and, in the future, may continue to result in
significant up-front costs to reduce workforce, close or consolidate facilities, or upgrade equipment and technology.
The Company may suffer a data-breach of sensitive information, ransomware attack or other cyber incident. If the
Company’s efforts to protect the security of information or systems are unsuccessful, any such failure may result in
costly government enforcement actions and/or private litigation, and the Company’s business and reputation could
suffer.
The Company and its clients are subject to various United States and foreign cybersecurity laws, which require
the Company to maintain adequate protections for electronically held information. The Company may not be able to
anticipate techniques used to gain access to the Company’s systems or facilities, the systems of the Company’s clients or
vendors, or implement adequate prevention measures. Moreover, unauthorized parties may attempt to access the
Company’s systems or facilities, or the systems of the Company’s clients or vendors, through fraud or deception. In the
event and to the extent that a data breach, ransomware attack or other cyber incident occurs, such breach could have an
adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause the
Company to incur substantial costs or require changes to the Company’s business practices in a manner adverse to the
Company’s business.
The fragility of and decline in overall distribution channels may adversely impact clients’ access to cost effective
distribution of their advertising materials, and therefore may adversely impact the Company’s business.
The distribution channels of print products and services, including the newspaper industry, face significant
competition from other sources of news, information and entertainment content delivery. If overall distribution channels,
including newspaper distribution channels, continue to decline, the Company’s clients may be adversely impacted by the
lack of access to cost effective distribution of their advertising materials. In turn, this decline in cost effective
distribution channels may force clients to use other avenues of distribution that may be at significantly higher cost, which
may decrease demand for the Company’s products and services, and thus adversely affect the Company’s financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Failure to attract and retain qualified talent across the enterprise could materially adversely affect the Company’s
business, competitive position, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company continues to be substantially dependent on its production personnel to print the Company’s
products in a cost-effective and efficient manner that allows the Company to obtain new clients and to drive sales from
the Company’s existing clients. The Company believes that there is significant competition for production personnel
with the skills and technical knowledge that the Company requires. The Company’s ability to continue efficient
operations, reduce production costs, and consolidate operations will depend, in large part, on the Company’s success in
recruiting, training, integrating and retaining sufficient numbers of production personnel to support the Company’s
production, cost savings and consolidation targets. New hires require extensive training and it may take significant time
before they achieve full productivity. In addition, increases in the wages paid by competing employers, including as a
result of current macroeconomic conditions, has resulted, and may continue to result, in increases in the wage rates that
the Company must pay. As a result, the Company has and may continue to incur additional costs to attract, train and
retain employees, including expenditures related to salaries and benefits, and the Company may lose new, as well as
existing, employees to competitors or other companies before the Company realizes the benefit of its investment in
recruiting and training them. If the Company is unable to hire and train sufficient numbers of personnel, the Company’s
business would be adversely affected. Any shortage of available production personnel may also put a strain on the
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Company’s ability to accept new work from client requests, including during the Company’s seasonally higher second
half of the calendar year.
The Company’s future success also depends on its continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, and retain its
executive management team, including its Chief Executive Officer, and other personnel for all areas of the organization.
Approximately 1,200 of the Company’s United States and international employees are covered by an industry
wide agreement, a collective bargaining agreement or through a works council or similar arrangement. While the
Company believes its employee relations are good and that the Company maintains an employee-centric culture, any
material disruption in operations resulting from labor disputes, a strike or other forms of labor protest affecting the
Company’s United States or international plants, distribution centers or other facilities in the future could materially
disrupt the Company’s operations and result in an adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows, which could force the Company to reassess its strategic alternatives involving certain of its operations.
The Company’s business depends substantially on client contract renewals and/or client retention. Any contract non-
renewals, renewals on different terms and conditions or decline in the Company’s client retention or expansion could
materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
The Company has historically derived a significant portion of its revenue from long-term contracts with
significant clients. If the Company loses significant clients (including as a result of reduced demand for a client’s
products or services), is unable to renew such contracts on similar terms and conditions, or at all, or is not awarded new
long-term contracts with important clients in the future, its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may
be adversely affected.
The Company is exposed to risks of loss in the event of nonperformance by its clients. Some of the Company’s
clients are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Even if the Company’s
credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, the Company may experience financial losses and loss of future
business if its clients become bankrupt, insolvent or otherwise are unable to pay the Company for its work performed.
Any increase in the nonpayment or nonperformance by clients could adversely affect the Company’s results of
operations and financial condition.
Certain industries in which the Company’s clients operate have experienced, and in the future may experience
consolidation. When client consolidation occurs, it is possible that the volume of work performed by the Company for a
client after the consolidation will be less than it was before the consolidation or that the client’s work will be completely
moved to competitors. In addition, new and enhanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, search, web and
infrastructure computing services, digital content, and electronic devices, may affect clients. The internet facilitates
competitive entry and comparison shopping, and the reliance on digital retailing may reduce clients’ volume. Any such
reduction or loss of work could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
There are additional risks associated with the Company’s operations outside of the United States, including trade
restrictions, currency fluctuations, the global economy, and geopolitical events like war and terrorism.
Net sales from the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries outside of the United States accounted for
approximately 13% and 14% of its consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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As a result, the Company is subject to the risks inherent in conducting business outside of the United States,
including, but not limited to: the impact of economic and political instability; tariffs and other trade barriers; trade
restrictions and economic embargoes by the United States or other countries; fluctuations in currency values, foreign-
currency exchange rates, devaluation and conversion restrictions; exchange control regulations and other limits on the
Company’s ability to import raw materials or finished product; health concerns regarding infectious diseases; adverse
weather or natural disasters; social unrest, acts of terrorism, force majeure, war or other armed conflicts; inflation and
fluctuations in interest rates; language barriers; difficulties in staffing, training, employee retention and managing
international operations; logistical and communications challenges; differing local business practices and cultural
considerations; restrictions on the ability to repatriate funds; foreign ownership restrictions and the potential for
nationalization or expropriation of property or other resources; longer accounts receivable payment cycles; potential
adverse tax consequences; and being subject to different legal and regulatory regimes that may preclude or make more
costly certain initiatives or the implementation of certain elements of its business strategy.
Negative publicity could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and brand reputation.
Unfavorable publicity, whether accurate or not, related to the Company or the Company’s executive
management team, employees, board of directors, operations, business or prospects, or to the Quadracci family
shareholders of the Company, could negatively affect the Company’s reputation, stock price, ability to attract new clients
from growth vertical industries, ability to attract and retain high-quality talent, or the performance of the Company’s
business.
In addition, the increased use of social media platforms, including blogs, social media websites, and other forms
of internet-based and mobile communications, allows individuals access to a broad audience of consumers and other
interested persons. Many social media platforms immediately publish the content their subscribers’ and participants’
post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the content posted. Information or commentary posted on such
platforms at any time may be adverse to the Company’s interests or may be inaccurate, each of which may harm the
Company’s reputation, business or prospects. The harm may be immediate without affording the Company an
opportunity for redress or correction.
If the Company fails to identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions, investment opportunities or other
significant transactions, as well as identify and execute strategic divestitures, it may adversely affect the Company’s
future results and ability to implement its business strategy.
The Company may pursue acquisitions of, investment opportunities in, or other significant transactions with,
companies that are complementary to the Company’s business, as well as divestitures of businesses, product lines or
other assets. In order to pursue this strategy successfully, the Company must identify attractive acquisition or investment
opportunities, successfully complete the transaction, some of which may be large and complex, and manage post-closing
issues such as integration of the acquired company or employees. The Company may not be able to identify or complete
appealing acquisition or investment opportunities given the intense competition for these transactions. Even if the
Company identifies and completes suitable corporate transactions, the Company may not be able to successfully address
inherent risks in a timely manner, or at all. These inherent risks include, among other things: failure to achieve all or any
projected synergies, performance targets or other anticipated benefits of the acquisition, investment or divestiture; failure
to successfully integrate the purchased operations, technologies, products or services and maintain uniform standard
controls, policies and procedures; substantial unanticipated integration costs; loss of key employees, including those of
an acquired business; diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; failure to retain the clients of
the acquired business; additional debt and/or assumption of known or unknown liabilities; potential dilutive issuances of
equity securities; and a write-off of goodwill, client lists, other intangibles and amortization of expenses. If the Company
fails to successfully integrate an acquisition, the Company may not realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of the
acquisition, and the Company’s future results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, the Company’s transformation to a marketing experience company is partially dependent upon the
Company’s continued ability to identify and execute strategic divestiture opportunities to generate cash and related
benefits. There can be no assurance whether the strategic benefits and expected financial impact of any divestitures will
be achieved.
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Financial Risks
The Company may be required to make capital expenditures to sustain and grow its platforms and processes, as well
as make investments in the development and implementation of new systems, client technology, product technology,
marketing and talent in order to keep pace with industry developments, client expectations, and to remain
technologically and economically competitive. The cash or financing required for these capital expenditures and
investments may not be sufficient or available on terms acceptable to the Company. In addition, these capital
expenditures and investments may increase the Company’s costs, reduce its profits, disrupt its operations or adversely
affect its ability to implement its business strategy.
The printing and advertising and marketing services industries are experiencing rapid change as new digital
technologies are developed that offer clients an array of choices for their marketing and publication needs. In order to
remain competitive, the Company will need to adapt to future changes, especially with regard to technology, such as
artificial intelligence, and talent, to enhance the Company’s existing offerings and introduce new offerings to address the
changing demands of clients. In order to remain technologically and economically competitive, the Company may need
to make significant capital expenditures and other investments, including in its talent, as it develops and continues to
maintain its platforms and processes, and to develop and integrate new technologies. In order to accomplish this
effectively, the Company will need to deploy its resources efficiently, maintain effective cost controls and bear
potentially significant market and raw material risks. If the Company’s revenues decline, it may impact the Company’s
ability to expend the capital necessary to develop and implement new technology and be economically competitive.
Debt or equity financing, or cash generated from operations, may not be available or sufficient for these requirements or
for other corporate purposes or, if debt or equity financing is available, it may not be on terms favorable to the Company.
In addition, even if capital is available to the Company, there is risk that the Company’s vendors will have discontinued
the production of parts needed for repairs, replacements or improvements to the Company’s existing platforms, leading
the Company to expend more capital than expected to perform such repairs, replacements or improvements. The
Company’s business and operating results may be adversely affected if the Company is unable to keep pace with relevant
technological and industry changes or if the technologies or business strategies that the Company adopts or services it
promotes do not receive widespread market acceptance.
If the Company is unable to make the capital expenditures and other investments necessary to adapt to industry
and technological developments, the Company may experience a decline in demand for its services, be unable to
implement its business strategy and its business operating results may be adversely affected. Additionally, if the
Company is unable to meet future challenges from competing technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost, the
Company could lose clients to competitors. In general, the development of new communication channels inside and
outside the printing and media solutions industry requires the Company to anticipate and respond to the varied and
continually changing demands of clients. The Company may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or the
success of new services in the market.
The Company’s debt facilities include various covenants imposing restrictions that may affect the Company’s ability
to operate its business.
On April 28, 2014, and as last amended on October 18, 2024, the Company entered into a senior secured credit
facility (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility,”) which currently includes two different loan facilities: a $360.8 million
Term Loan A and a $324.6 million revolving credit facility. As a result of an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit
Facility, the Term Loan A and revolving credit facility were both broken into two separate maturity dates. Borrowing
from lenders who elected to not extend the maturity date will mature on November 2, 2026, whereas borrowing from
lenders who elected to extend the maturity date matures on October 18, 2029. As of December 31, 2024, the borrowings
outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility were $360.8 million.
The Company’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants. In addition to the financial
covenants, the debt facilities also include certain limitations on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and
repurchases of capital stock. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in
its debt agreements. While the Company currently expects to be in compliance in future periods with all of the financial
covenants, there can be no assurance that these covenants will continue to be met. The Company’s failure to maintain
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compliance with the covenants could prevent the Company from borrowing additional amounts and could result in a
default under any of the debt agreements. Such default could cause the outstanding indebtedness to become immediately
due and payable, by virtue of cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
The Company may be adversely affected by interest rates, particularly floating interest rates, and foreign exchange
rates.
As of December 31, 2024, 44% of the Company’s borrowings were subject to variable interest rates. As a
result, the Company is exposed to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, and increases in interest
rates could adversely affect the Company.
The Company currently holds one interest rate swap contract. The purpose of entering into this contract was to
reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt. The
swap converts the notional value of the Company’s variable rate debt based on one-month Secured Overnight Finance
Rate (“SOFR”) to a fixed rate, including a spread on underlying debt, and a monthly reset in the variable interest rate.
The Company has entered into two interest rate collar contracts, both effective February 1, 2023. The purpose
of entering into the contracts was to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of the
Company’s variable-rate debt. The interest rate collars convert the notional value of the Company’s variable rate debt
based on one-month term SOFR to a fixed rate if that month’s interest rate is outside of the collars’ floor and ceiling
rates, including a spread on underlying debt, and a monthly reset in the variable interest rate.
Because a portion of the Company’s operations are outside of the United States, significant revenues and
expenses are denominated in local currencies. Although operating in local currencies may limit the impact of currency
rate fluctuations on the results of operations of the Company’s non-United States subsidiaries and business units,
fluctuations in such rates may affect the translation of these results into the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
To the extent revenues and expenses are not in the applicable local currency, the Company may enter into foreign
exchange forward contracts to hedge the currency risk. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s efforts
at hedging will be successful. There is always a possibility that attempts to hedge currency risks will lead to greater
losses than predicted.
The Company’s revenue, operating income and cash flows are subject to cyclical and seasonal variations.
The Company’s business is seasonal, with the Company recognizing the majority of its operating income in the
second half of the calendar year, primarily as a result of the increased catalogs and retail inserts from back-to-school and
holiday-related advertising and promotions. The fourth quarter is typically the highest seasonal quarter for cash flows
from operating activities and Free Cash Flow due to the reduction of working capital requirements that reach peak levels
during the third quarter. If the Company does not successfully manage the increased workflow, necessary increases in
paper and ink inventory, production capacity flows and other business elements during these high seasons of activity, this
seasonality could adversely affect the Company’s cash flows and results of operations.
An other than temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value could lead to non-cash impairment charges
due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.
The Company has a material amount of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets on its
balance sheet, due in part to acquisitions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had the following long-lived assets on
its consolidated balance sheet included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K: (a) property, plant and equipment of $499.7 million; (b) goodwill of $100.3 million; and (c) other
intangible assets, primarily representing the value of customer relationships acquired, of $7.2 million.
26
As of December 31, 2024, these assets represented approximately 47% of the Company’s total assets. The
Company assesses impairment of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets based upon the
expected future cash flows of the respective assets. These valuations include management’s estimates of sales,
profitability, cash flow generation, capital structure, cost of debt, interest rates, capital expenditures and other
assumptions. A decline in expected profitability, significant negative industry or economic trends, inability to effectively
integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets or in entity
structure, divestitures and discontinued operations may adversely impact the assumptions used in the valuations. As a
result, the recoverability of these assets could be called into question, and the Company could be required to write down
or write off these assets. Such an occurrence could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations
and financial position.
The Company has liabilities with respect to defined benefit pension plans that could cause the Company to incur
additional costs.
As a result of the 2010 acquisition of World Color Press, the Company assumed frozen single employer defined
benefit pension plans for certain of its employees in the United States. The majority of the plans’ assets are held in North
American and global equity securities and debt securities. The asset allocation as of December 31, 2024, was
approximately 22% equity securities and 78% debt securities.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had underfunded pension liabilities of $34.1 million for single
employer defined benefit plans in the United States. Under current United States pension law, pension funding deficits
are generally required to be funded over a seven-year period. These pension deficits may increase or decrease depending
on changes in the levels of interest rates, pension plan investment performance, pension legislation and other factors.
Declines in global debt and equity markets would increase the Company’s potential pension funding obligations. Any
significant increase in the Company’s required contributions could have a material adverse impact on its business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition to the single employer defined benefit plans described above, the Company has previously
participated in multiemployer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in the United States, including the Graphic Communications
International Union - Employer Retirement Fund (“GCIU”) and the Graphic Communications Conference of the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Pension Fund (“GCC”). Prior to the acquisition of World Color Press
by the Company, World Color Press received notice that certain plans in which it participated were in critical status, as
defined in Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). As a result,
the Company could have been subject to increased contribution rates associated with these plans or other MEPPs
suffering from declines in their funding levels. Due to the significantly underfunded status of the United States
multiemployer plans and the potential increased contribution rates, the Company withdrew from participation in these
multiemployer plans and has replaced these pension benefits with a Company-sponsored “pay as you go” defined
contribution plan, which is historically the form of retirement benefit provided to the Company’s employees. As of
December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded in its financial statements a pre-tax withdrawal liability for all United
States MEPPs of $21.5 million in the aggregate. The Company is scheduled to make payments to the GCIU until April
2032 and made its final payment to the GCC in February 2024.
The Company may not be able to utilize deferred tax assets to offset future taxable income.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, of $66.9 million.
The Company expects to utilize the deferred tax assets to reduce consolidated income tax liabilities in future taxable
years. However, the Company may not be able to fully utilize the deferred tax assets if its future taxable income and
related income tax liability is insufficient to permit their use. In addition, in the future, the Company may be required to
record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets if the Company believes it is unable to utilize them, which
would have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
27
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings could result in substantial costs and may harm the Company’s financial
condition.
The Company’s financial condition may be affected by the outcome of pending and future litigation, claims,
investigations, legal and administrative cases and proceedings, whether civil or criminal, or lawsuits by governmental
agencies or private parties. Defending against any such claims, or any legal proceedings to which the Company is
subject, can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in
monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on the Company’s liquidity and financial condition and/or cause
significant reputational harm to the Company’s business.
The Company may incur costs or suffer reputational damage due to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or
agents under anti-corruption or other laws governing business practices, including the United States Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act.
The Company could be adversely affected by engaging in business practices that are in violation of United
States or foreign anti-corruption laws, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company operates
in parts of the world with developing economies that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree, and in
certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-corruption laws may conflict with local customs and practices. In
certain countries, the Company does substantial business with government entities or instrumentalities, which creates
increased risk of a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and international laws. There can be no assurance that
all of the Company’s employees, contractors or agents, including those representing the Company in countries where
practices which violate anti-corruption laws may be customary, will not take actions that violate the Company’s policies
and procedures. The failure to comply with the laws governing international business practices may result in substantial
penalties and fines.
The Company and its facilities are subject to various consumer protection and privacy laws and regulations, and will
become subject to additional laws and regulations in the future. If the Company’s efforts to comply with such laws or
protect the security of information are unsuccessful, any failure may subject the Company to material liability,
require it to incur material costs or otherwise adversely affect its results of operations as a result of compliance with
such laws, costly enforcement actions and private litigation.
The nature of the Company’s business includes the receipt and storage of information about the Company’s
clients, vendors and the end-users of the Company’s products and services. The Company and its clients are subject to
various United States and foreign consumer protection, information security, data privacy and “do not mail”
requirements at the federal, state, provincial and local levels. The Company is subject to many legislative and regulatory
laws and regulations around the world concerning data protection and privacy. In addition, the interpretation and
application of consumer and data protection laws in the United States and elsewhere are often fluid and uncertain. To the
extent that the Company or its clients become subject to additional or more stringent requirements or that the Company is
not successful in its efforts to comply with existing requirements or protect the security of information, demand for the
Company’s services may decrease and the Company’s reputation may suffer, which could adversely affect the
Company’s results of operations. In addition, such laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with the
Company’s internal policies. If so, the Company could suffer costly enforcement actions (including an order requiring
changes to the Company’s data practices) and private litigation, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s
business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause the Company to incur substantial
costs or require changes to the Company’s business practices in a manner adverse to the Company’s business.
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Changes in the legal and regulatory environment or reporting requirements could limit the Company’s business
activities, increase its operating costs, reduce demand for its products or result in litigation.
The conduct of the Company’s businesses is subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal,
state and local government agencies in the United States, as well as to foreign laws and regulations administered by
government entities and agencies in markets in which the Company operates. These laws and regulations and
interpretations thereof may change, sometimes dramatically, as a result of political, economic or social events, such as
the election of the new administration. Such regulatory environment changes may include changes in taxation
requirements, accounting and disclosure standards, immigration laws and policy, environmental laws, and requirements
of United States and foreign occupational health and safety laws. Changes in laws, regulations or governmental policy
and the related interpretations may alter the environment in which the Company does business, and therefore, may
impact its results or increase its costs or liabilities.
In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are party to a variety of legal and environmental remediation
obligations arising in the normal course of business, as well as environmental remediation and related indemnification
proceedings in connection with certain historical activities, former facilities and contractual obligations of acquired
businesses. Permits are required for the operation of certain parts of the Company’s business, and these permits are
subject to renewal, modification and, in some circumstances, revocation. Due to regulatory complexities, uncertainties
inherent in litigation and the risk of unidentified contaminants on current and former properties, the potential exists for
remediation, liability and indemnification costs to differ materially from the costs the Company has estimated. The
Company cannot assure you that the Company’s costs in relation to these matters will not exceed its established
liabilities or otherwise have an adverse effect on its results of operations.
Various laws and regulations addressing climate change have been and/or are being considered at the federal
and state levels. Proposals under consideration include requiring climate- and emissions-related disclosures and
limitations on the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted together with systems of trading allowed emissions
capacities. The impacts of such proposals could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition
and results of operations.
If QuadMed, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, fails to comply with applicable healthcare laws and
regulations, the Company could face substantial penalties, and its business, reputation, operations, prospects and
financial condition of the Company’s subsidiary could be adversely affected.
QuadMed provides employer-sponsored healthcare solutions in the United States to employers of all sizes,
including the Company and other private and public-sector companies. These solutions include, but are not limited to,
on-site and near-site health centers, occupational health services, telemedicine, behavioral health and counseling
services, and health and wellness programs. The healthcare industry is heavily regulated, constantly evolving and
subject to significant change and fluctuation. The United States federal and state healthcare laws and regulations that
impact the QuadMed subsidiary business include, among others, those: (a) regarding privacy, security and transmission
of individually identifiable health information; (b) prohibiting, among other things, soliciting, receiving or providing
remuneration to induce the referral of an individual for an item or service or the purchasing or ordering of an item or
service for which payment may be made under healthcare programs; (c) prohibiting, among other things, knowingly
presenting or causing to be presented claims for payment from third-party payors that are false or fraudulent; and (d)
prohibiting the corporate practice of medicine.
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Risks Relating to Quad’s Common Stock
Holders of class A common stock are not able to independently elect directors of the Company or control any of the
Company’s management policies or business decisions because the holders of class A common stock have
substantially less voting power than the holders of the Company’s class B common stock, all of which is owned by
certain members of the Quadracci family or trusts for their benefit, whose interests may be different from the holders
of class A common stock.
The Company’s outstanding stock is divided into two classes of common stock: class A common stock
(“class A stock”) and class B common stock (“class B stock”). The class B stock has ten votes per share on all matters
and the class A stock is entitled to one vote per share. As of January 31, 2025, the class B stock constitutes
approximately 78% of the Company’s total voting power. As a result, holders of class B stock are able to exercise a
controlling influence over the Company’s business, have the power to elect its directors and indirectly control decisions
such as whether to issue additional shares, declare and pay dividends or enter into corporate transactions. All of the
class B stock is owned by certain members of the Quadracci family or trusts for their benefit, whose interests may differ
from the interests of the holders of class A stock.
As of January 31, 2025, approximately 93% of the outstanding class B stock was held of record by the Quad
Voting Trust, and that constitutes approximately 72% of the Company’s total voting power. The trustees of the Quad
Voting Trust have the authority to vote the stock held by the Quad Voting Trust. Accordingly, the trustees of the Quad
Voting Trust are able to exercise a controlling influence over the Company’s business, have the power to elect its
directors and indirectly control decisions such as whether to issue additional shares, declare and pay dividends or enter
into corporate transactions.
Furthermore, in response to recent public focus on dual class capital structures, certain stock index providers
have or are implementing limitations on the inclusion of dual class share structures in their indices and certain
institutional shareholder advisory firms have or are updating their voting guidelines to generally withhold support for
directors of companies with dual class voting rights. If these restrictions increase or these guidelines are followed, they
may impact who buys and holds the Company’s stock.
The Company is a controlled company within the meaning of the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
and, as a result, it relies on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to
shareholders of other companies.
Since the Quad Voting Trust owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, the
Company is considered a controlled company under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE. As a
controlled company, an exception under the NYSE listing standards exempts the Company from the obligation to comply
with certain of the NYSE’s corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that (a) the Company have a
corporate governance and nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written
charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and (b) the Company have a compensation committee
that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and
responsibilities.
Accordingly, for so long as the Company is a controlled company, holders of class A stock may not have the
same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements
of the NYSE.
30
Currently, there is a limited active market for Quad’s class A common stock and, as a result, shareholders may be
unable to sell their class A common stock without losing a significant portion of their investment.
The Company’s class A stock has been traded on the NYSE under the symbol “QUAD” since July 6, 2010.
However, there is still a limited active market for the class A common shares. The Company cannot predict the extent to
which investor interest in the Company will lead to the development of a more active trading market for its class A
common stock on the NYSE or how liquid that market will be. If a more active trading market does not develop,
shareholders may have difficulty selling any class A stock without negatively affecting the stock price, and thereby,
losing a significant portion of their investment.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
The Company has no unresolved staff comments to report pursuant to this item.
Item 1C.
Cybersecurity
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) recognizes the critical importance of maintaining the trust and
confidence of our customers, clients, employees and communities. The Board is actively involved in oversight of the
Company’s operational and strategic risk management process. With regard to cybersecurity risk, the Board (through the
Audit Committee) periodically reviews information on management’s policies and processes related to cybersecurity and
data-protection, including its assessment, identification and management of material risks, mitigation strategy,
governance and incident reporting that are based on recognized frameworks established by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), the International Organization for Standardization and other applicable industry
standards. The entire Board receives periodic updates on the Company’s cybersecurity risk management progress
through the Company’s general enterprise risk management (“ERM”) program. In general, the Company seeks to
address cybersecurity risks through a comprehensive, cross-functional approach that is focused on preserving the
confidentiality, security and availability of the information that the Company collects and stores by identifying,
preventing and mitigating cybersecurity threats and effectively responding to cybersecurity incidents when they occur.
Risk Management and Strategy
As one of the critical elements of the Company’s overall ERM approach, the Company’s cybersecurity program
is focused on the following key areas:
Overall
As discussed in more detail under the heading “Governance,” the Board’s oversight of cybersecurity risk
management is supported by the Audit Committee of the Board, which receives periodic updates from the Company’s
ERM function, the Company’s Executive Director of Information Security & Compliance, other members of
management and relevant management committees and councils.
Collaborative Approach
The Company has implemented a comprehensive, cross-functional approach to identifying, preventing and
mitigating cybersecurity threats and incidents, while also implementing controls and procedures that provide for the
prompt escalation of certain cybersecurity incidents so that decisions regarding the public disclosure and reporting of
such incidents can be made by management in a timely manner.
Technical Safeguards
The Company deploys technical safeguards that are designed to protect the Company’s information systems
from cybersecurity threats, including firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, anti-malware functionality
31
and access controls, which are evaluated and improved through vulnerability assessments and cybersecurity threat
intelligence.
Incident Response and Recovery Planning
The Company has established and maintains comprehensive incident response and recovery plans that fully
address the Company’s response to a cybersecurity incident, and such plans are tested and evaluated on a regular basis.
Third-Party Risk Management
The Company maintains a comprehensive, risk-based approach to identifying and overseeing cybersecurity
risks presented by third parties, including vendors, service providers and other external users of the Company’s systems,
as well as the systems of third parties that could adversely impact our business in the event of a cybersecurity incident
affecting those third-party systems.
Education and Awareness
The Company launched a security awareness campaign, Be Cyber Smart, that helps employees make sure
valuable data remains private, keep physical and digital workspaces secure with good security hygiene, spot potential
phishing and malware threats, and avoid risky behaviors. The Be Cyber Smart campaign provides employees with tools
and tips for proactive protection measures such as password management, the importance of software updates and
computer restarts, security measures when working remote, recognizing and avoiding phishing and maintaining data
privacy. In addition, annual compliance, security awareness and acceptable use training, as well as regular phish testing,
is delivered to all employees.
The Company engages in the periodic assessment and testing of the Company’s policies, standards, processes
and practices that are designed to address cybersecurity threats and incidents. These efforts include a wide range of
activities, including audits, assessments, tabletop exercises, threat modeling, vulnerability testing and other exercises
focused on evaluating the effectiveness of our cybersecurity measures and planning. The Company regularly engages
third parties to perform assessments on our cybersecurity measures, including information security maturity assessments,
audits and independent reviews of our information security control environment and operating effectiveness. The results
of such assessments, audits and reviews are reported to the Audit Committee and the Board, and the Company adjusts its
cybersecurity policies, standards, processes and practices as necessary based on the information provided by these
assessments, audits and reviews.
Governance
The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Company’s operational and strategic risk management process.
The Board oversees a company-wide approach to risk management, carried out by management. The Board determines
the appropriate risk for the Company generally, assesses the specific risks the Company faces and receives regular
reports of the steps taken by management to manage those risks. With regard to cybersecurity risk, the Board (through
the Audit Committee) conducts an annual review of the Company’s cybersecurity program, and the entire Board receives
periodic updates on the Company’s cybersecurity risk management progress through the Company’s general enterprise
risk management program described in the foregoing sentence.
The Executive Director of Information Security & Compliance, with oversight from the Audit Committee,
works collaboratively across the Company to implement a program designed to protect the Company’s information
systems from cybersecurity threats and to promptly respond to any cybersecurity incidents in accordance with the
Company’s incident response and recovery plans. To facilitate the success of the Company’s cybersecurity risk
management program, multidisciplinary teams throughout the Company are deployed to address cybersecurity threats
and to respond to cybersecurity incidents. Through ongoing communications with these teams, the Executive Director of
Information Security & Compliance monitors the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity
32
threats and incidents in real time and reports such threats and incidents to the Audit Committee and Board when
appropriate.
The Executive Director of Information Security & Compliance has served in various roles in information
technology and information security for over 30 years, including serving as the Vice President of Information
Technology and Executive Director of Information Security & Compliance for two large companies. The Executive
Director of Information Security & Compliance holds undergraduate degrees in information systems and operations
management, as well as graduate degrees in information systems and finance and has attained the professional
certification of Information Technology Project Management. The Company’s CEO, CFO and General Counsel,
Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer each hold degrees in their respective fields, and each have
over 20 years of experience managing risks at the Company or at similar companies, including risks arising from
cybersecurity threats.
Cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have not materially affected
or are not reasonably likely to affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations or financial
condition.
Item 2.
Properties
Quad’s corporate office is located in Sussex, Wisconsin. The Company owned or leased 86 facilities located in
14 countries including manufacturing operations, warehouses and office space totaling approximately 15,969,000 square
feet, of which approximately 11,461,000 is owned space and approximately 4,508,000 is leased space as of
December 31, 2024.
Within the United States Print and Related Services segment, the Company operated 32 owned or leased
manufacturing facilities, encompassing approximately 13,316,000 square feet as of December 31, 2024. Within the
International segment, the Company operated 6 owned or leased manufacturing facilities, encompassing approximately
1,552,000 square feet as of December 31, 2024. The following table lists the Company’s operating locations with
manufacturing facilities totaling over 500,000 square feet as of December 31, 2024:
Locations
Square Feet
Property Type
Segment
Lomira, Wisconsin, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,174,000
Owned
United States Print and Related Services
Sussex, Wisconsin, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,971,000
Owned
United States Print and Related Services
Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States . . . . . .
1,740,000
Owned
United States Print and Related Services
Hartford, Wisconsin, United States . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,682,000
Owned
United States Print and Related Services
West Allis, Wisconsin, United States . . . . . . . . . .
913,000
Leased
United States Print and Related Services
The Rock, Georgia, United States . . . . . . . . . . . . .
797,000
Owned
United States Print and Related Services
Wyszkow, Poland (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
709,000
Owned
International
______________________________
(1)
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has classified its European operations as held for sale. For more information on the
European operations assets classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to various legal actions, administrative proceedings and claims arising out of the
ordinary course of business. The Company believes that such unresolved legal actions, proceedings and claims will not
materially adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. For additional information, see
Note 9, “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8,
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
33
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34
PART II
Item 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Capital Stock and Dividends
Quad’s authorized capital stock consists of 105.0 million shares of class A stock, 80.0 million shares of class B
stock, 20.0 million shares of class C common stock and 0.5 million shares of preferred stock. The Company’s
outstanding capital stock as of December 31, 2024, consisted of 38.8 million shares of class A stock, 13.3 million shares
of class B stock and no shares of class C common stock or preferred stock. As of January 31, 2025, there were
1,994 record holders of the class A stock and 22 record holders of the class B stock.
The Company’s class A stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “QUAD”. The class A stock is entitled
to one vote per share. The Company’s class B stock is held by certain members of the Quadracci family or trusts for
their benefit (and can only be voluntarily transferred to the Company or to a member of the Quadracci “family group” as
defined in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation; and any transfer in violation of the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation results in the automatic conversion of such class B stock into class A stock). The class B stock is entitled
to ten votes per share. Each share of class B stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted at any time into one
share of class A stock. There is no public trading market for the class B stock.
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding class of common stock has equal rights
with respect to cash dividends. Pursuant to the Company’s debt facilities, the Company is subject to limitations on
dividends and repurchases of capital stock. If the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.75 to 1.00, as
defined in the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility, last amended on October 18, 2024, (see Note 10. “Debt,” for
more details on the amendment), the Company is prohibited from making greater than $60.0 million of dividend
payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments, over the course of the agreement. If the Company’s
Total Leverage Ratio is above 2.50 to 1.00, but below 2.75 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from making greater than
$100.0 million of dividend payments, capital stock repurchases, and certain other payments, over the course of the
agreement. If the Total Leverage Ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.
Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain information regarding the Company’s equity
compensation plans.
35
Information about the Company’s repurchases of its class A common stock during the three months ended
December 31, 2024, was as follows:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
Average Price
Paid Per Share
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs(1)
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(2)
October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024
—
—
—
$
77,507,158
November 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024
—
—
—
77,507,158
December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
—
—
—
77,507,158
Total
—
—
______________________________
(1)
Represents shares of the Company’s class A common stock.
(2)
On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the
Company’s outstanding class A common stock. Under the authorization, share repurchases may be made at the Company’s
discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as permitted by federal securities
laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchase will depend on economic and market
conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended or
discontinued at any time. There were no shares of the Company’s class A stock repurchased during the year ended December 31,
2024. There were 2,852,501 shares repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, there
were $77.5 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the program.
36
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of Quad should be read together
with Quad’s audited consolidated financial statements for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024,
including the notes thereto, included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s plans, estimates
and beliefs. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in
“Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included earlier
within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a
supplement to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to help provide an
understanding of the Company’s financial condition, the changes in the Company’s financial condition and the
Company’s results of operations. This discussion and analysis is organized as follows:
•
Overview. This section includes a general description of the Company’s business and segments, an
overview of key performance metrics the Company’s management measures and utilizes to evaluate
business performance, and an overview of trends affecting the Company, including management’s actions
related to the trends.
•
Results of Operations. This section contains an analysis of the Company’s results of operations by
comparing the results for the year ended December 31, 2024, to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Forward-looking statements providing a general description of recent and projected industry and Company
developments that are important to understanding the Company’s results of operations are included in this
section. This section also provides a discussion of EBITDA and EBITDA margin, financial measures that
the Company uses to assess the performance of its business that are not prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
•
Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides an analysis of the Company’s capitalization, cash
flows and a discussion of outstanding debt and commitments. Forward-looking statements important to
understanding the Company’s financial condition are included in this section. This section also provides a
discussion of Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio, non-GAAP financial measures that the Company
uses to assess liquidity and capital allocation and deployment.
•
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. This section contains a discussion of the accounting policies
that the Company’s management believes are important to the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations, as well as allowances and reserves that require significant judgment and estimates on the part of
the Company’s management. In addition, all of the Company’s significant accounting policies, including
critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
37
Overview
Business Overview
Quad is a marketing experience (MX) company that simplifies the complexities of marketing, removing friction
from wherever it occurs along the marketing journey. Its results-driven approach enables stronger marketing operations
that lead to real, repeatable success for clients. The Company does this through its MX Solutions Suite, which is
flexible, scalable and connected. Quad tailors its solutions to each client’s objectives, driving cost efficiencies,
improving speed to market, strengthening marketing effectiveness and delivering value on investments. The Company
supports a diverse base of clients, including industry-leading blue-chip companies that serve both businesses and
consumers across multiple industry verticals, with a particular focus on commerce, including retail, consumer packaged
goods and direct-to-consumer; financial services; and health.
For a full description of the Company’s business overview, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Business,” of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s operating and reportable segments are aligned with how the chief operating decision maker of
the Company currently manages the business. The Company’s operating and reportable segments, including their
product and service offerings, and a “Corporate” category, are summarized below.
The United States Print and Related Services segment is predominantly comprised of the Company’s United
States printing operations, managed as one integrated platform, and marketing and other complementary services. The
printing operations include print execution and logistics for retail inserts, catalogs, long-run publications, special interest
publications, journals, direct mail, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print
products, as well as other commercial and specialty printed products, along with global paper procurement and the
manufacture of ink. Marketing and other complementary services include data intelligence and analytics, technology
solutions, media planning, placement and optimization, creative strategy and content creation, as well as execution in
non-print channels (e.g., digital and broadcast). This segment also includes medical services. The United States Print
and Related Services segment accounted for approximately 87% and 86% of the Company’s consolidated net sales
during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The International segment consists of the Company’s printing operations in Europe and Latin America,
including operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. This segment provides printed
products and marketing and other complementary services consistent with the United States Print and Related Services
segment. The International segment accounted for approximately 13% and 14% of the Company’s consolidated net sales
during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Corporate consists of unallocated general and administrative activities and associated expenses including, in
part, executive, legal and finance, as well as certain expenses and income from frozen employee retirement plans, such as
pension benefit plans.
38
Key Performance Metrics Overview
The Company’s management believes the ability to generate net sales growth, profit increases and positive cash
flow, while maintaining the appropriate level of debt, are key indicators of the successful execution of the Company’s
business strategy and will increase shareholder value. The Company uses period-over-period net sales growth, EBITDA,
EBITDA margin, net cash provided by operating activities, Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio as metrics to
measure operating performance, financial condition and liquidity. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Free Cash Flow and Debt
Leverage Ratio are non-GAAP financial measures (see the definitions of EBITDA, EBITDA margin and the
reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA in the “Results of Operations” section below, and see the definitions of Free Cash
Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio, the reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow, and the
calculation of Debt Leverage Ratio in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below).
Net sales growth. The Company uses period-over-period net sales growth as a key performance metric. The
Company’s management assesses net sales growth based on the ability to generate increased net sales through increased
sales to existing clients, sales to new clients, sales of new or expanded solutions to existing and new clients, and
opportunities to expand sales through strategic investments, including acquisitions.
EBITDA and EBITDA margin. The Company uses EBITDA and EBITDA margin as metrics to assess
operating performance. The Company’s management assesses EBITDA and EBITDA margin based on the ability to
increase revenues while controlling variable expense growth.
Net cash provided by operating activities. The Company uses net cash provided by operating activities as a
metric to assess liquidity. The Company’s management assesses net cash provided by operating activities based on the
ability to meet recurring cash obligations while increasing available cash to fund debt service requirements, capital
expenditures, cash restructuring requirements related to cost reduction activities, World Color Press single employer
pension plan contributions, World Color Press MEPPs withdrawal liabilities, acquisitions and other investments in future
growth, shareholder dividends and share repurchases. Net cash provided by operating activities can be significantly
impacted by the timing of non-recurring or infrequent receipts or expenditures.
Free Cash Flow. The Company uses Free Cash Flow as a metric to assess liquidity and capital deployment.
The Company’s management assesses Free Cash Flow as a measure to quantify cash available for strengthening the
balance sheet (debt and pension liability reduction), for strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments
in the business (acquisitions and strategic investments) and for returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share
repurchases). The Company’s priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for
the business, and Free Cash Flow can be significantly impacted by the Company’s restructuring activities and other
unusual items.
Debt Leverage Ratio. The Company uses the Debt Leverage Ratio as a metric to assess liquidity and the
flexibility of its balance sheet. Consistent with other liquidity metrics, the Company monitors the Debt Leverage Ratio
as a measure to determine the appropriate level of debt the Company believes is optimal to operate its business, and
accordingly, to quantify debt capacity available for strengthening the balance sheet (debt and pension liability reduction),
for strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments in the business (capital expenditures, acquisitions
and strategic investments), and for returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share repurchases). The
Company’s priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and the
Debt Leverage Ratio can be significantly impacted by the amount and timing of large expenditures requiring debt
financing, as well as changes in profitability.
The Company remains disciplined with its debt leverage. The Company’s consolidated debt and finance lease
obligations decreased by $143.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to the following: (1)
$112.9 million in cash provided by operating activities; (2) $49.1 million in proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
equipment; (3) $23.7 million reduction in cash and cash equivalents; and (4) $22.2 million in proceeds from the sale of
an investment, partially offset by $57.2 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment and the $9.4 million
payment in cash dividends.
39
Overview of Trends Affecting Quad
As consumer media consumption habits change, advertising and marketing services providers face increased
demand to offer end-to-end marketing services, from strategy and creative through execution. As new marketing
channels emerge, these providers must expand their capabilities to create effective multichannel campaigns for their
clients, and providers face increased client demand to offer integrated, end-to-end marketing services (i.e., from
strategy and creative through execution). These trends greatly influence Quad’s ongoing efforts to help brands reduce
the complexities of working with multiple agency partners and vendors, increase marketing process efficiency and
maximize marketing effectiveness.
Competition in the commercial printing industry remains highly fragmented, and the Company believes that
there are indicators of heightened competitive pressures. The commercial printing industry has moved toward a demand
for shorter print runs, faster product turnaround and increased production efficiencies of products with lower page counts
and increased complexity. This — combined with increases in postage and paper costs as well as marketers’ increasing
use of online marketing and communication channels — has led to excess manufacturing capacity.
For a full description of the Company’s industry and competition overview, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Business,”
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes that a disciplined approach for capital management and a strong balance sheet are
critical to be able to invest in profitable growth opportunities and technological advances, thereby providing the highest
return for shareholders. Management balances the use of cash between deleveraging the Company’s balance sheet
(through reduction in debt and pension obligations), compelling investment opportunities (through capital expenditures,
acquisitions and strategic investments) and returns to shareholders (through dividends and share repurchases).
The Company continues to make progress on integrating and streamlining all aspects of its business, thereby
lowering its cost structure by consolidating its manufacturing platform into its most efficient facilities, as well as
realizing purchasing, mailing and logistics efficiencies by centralizing and consolidating print manufacturing volumes
and eliminating redundancies in its administrative and corporate operations. The Company has continued to evolve its
manufacturing platform, equipping facilities to be product-line agnostic, which enables the Company to maximize
equipment utilization. Quad believes that the large plant size of its key printing facilities allows the Company to drive
savings in certain product lines (such as publications and catalogs) due to economies of scale and from investments in
automation and technology. The Company continues to focus on proactively aligning its cost structure to the realities of
the top-line pressures it faces in the printing industry through Lean Manufacturing and sustainable continuous
improvement programs.
The Company believes it will continue to drive productivity improvements and sustainable cost reduction
initiatives into the future through an engaged workforce and ongoing adoption of the latest manufacturing automation
and technology. Through this strategy, the Company believes it can maintain the strongest, most efficient print
manufacturing platform to remain a high-quality, low-cost producer.
Integrated distribution with the USPS is an important component of the Company’s business. Any material
change in the current service levels provided by the postal service could impact the demand that clients have for print
services. In September 2024, the USPS held a pre-filing conference to further reduce service standards. These changes
required an advisory opinion from the PRC, which was issued in January 2025, urging the USPS to reconsider its plan.
However, the USPS is still expected to implement the changes in 2025, regardless of the advisory opinion issued. In
addition to the reduce service standards, the USPS has also issued reduced service performance targets for 2025. Almost
all letters and flats targets were reduced, some as much as 15% lower than 2024 targets (i.e. First Class Letters three to
five day on time performance target was reduced from 90% down to 80%).
40
The USPS continues to experience financial problems. The passing of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022,
signed in April 2022, gave the USPS considerable financial relief as well as significant other relief over the next ten
years. While the legislative postal reform helps considerably, without decreased operational cost structures, increased
efficiencies or increased volumes and revenues, these losses are expected to continue into the future. As a result of these
financial difficulties, the USPS has continued to adjust its postal rates and service levels. The USPS did not implement a
Market Dominant product price increase for January 2025. However, the available rate authority will roll forward to
July 2025. The USPS has confirmed it intends to continue with twice a year price increases for 2026 and 2027. With
postage increases that continue to exceed the CPI, clients will continue to reduce mail volumes and explore the use of
alternative methods for delivering a larger portion of their products, such as continued diversion to the internet, digital
and mobile channels and other alternative media channels, in order to ensure that they stay within their expected postage
budgets.
Federal statute requires the PRC to conduct reviews of the overall rate-making structure for the USPS to ensure
funding stability. As a result of those reviews, the PRC authorized a five year rate-making structure that provides the
USPS with additional pricing flexibility over the CPI cap, which has resulted in a substantially altered rate structure for
mailers. The revised rate authority that is effective as a result of the rules issued by the PRC includes a higher overall
rate cap on the USPS’ ability to increase rates from year to year. The USPS has used these additional rate authorities to
implement twice a year increases. This will continue to lead to price spikes for mailers and may also reduce the
incentive for the USPS to continue to take out costs and instead continue to rely on postage to cover the costs of an
outdated postal service that does not reflect the industry’s ability or willingness to pay. Given the significant amount of
concern that has been expressed by the mailing industry, in April 2024, the PRC opened a proceeding to start the next
rate system review, which is still underway. The Company believes the continued use of all available rate authority by
the USPS will continue to increase the potential volume declines as rate predictability with respect to cost is no longer
known for mailers.
The Company has invested significantly in its mail preparation and distribution capabilities to mitigate the
impact of increases in postage costs, and to help clients successfully navigate the ever-changing postal environment.
Through its data analytics, unique software to merge mail streams on a large scale, advanced finishing capabilities and
technology, and in-house transportation and logistics operations, the Company manages the mail preparation and
distribution of most of its clients’ products to maximize efficiency, to enable on-time and consistent delivery and to
partially reduce these costs.
The Company continues to face several other industry challenges that have been, and are expected to continue
to, adversely impact the Company’s results of operation. The Company continues to operate in an elevated interest rate
environment, which is expected to continue through 2025. Additionally, the price and availability of paper has been, and
may continue to be, adversely affected by paper mills’ permanent or temporary closures; paper mills’ access to raw
materials, conversion to produce other types of paper, and ability to transport paper produced; and tariffs and trade
restrictions. Postal rate increases, along with the previously described industry challenges, have led to reduced demand
for printed products and has caused clients to move more aggressively into other delivery methods, such as the many
digital and mobile options now available to consumers. This reduced volume has driven the Company to institute several
cost saving measures through its restructuring program, including plant closures and headcount reductions. Through
these cost saving measures and proceeds from asset sales, the Company has been able to maintain focus on its
transformation into an MX company, with flexibility to invest into the growing business, as well as continuing to be
advantageous in its efforts to return capital to shareholders and reduce debt. The Company is also dependent on its
production personnel to print the Company’s products in a cost-effective and efficient manner that allows the Company
to obtain new clients and to drive sales from existing clients. The Company is unable to predict the full future impact
these challenges will have on its business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, but expects them to
continue into 2025.
41
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Summary Results
The Company’s operating income, operating margin, net loss (computed using a 25% normalized tax rate for all
items subject to tax) and diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2024, changed from the year ended
December 31, 2023, as follows (dollars in millions, except per share data):
Operating Income
Operating Margin
Net Loss
Diluted Loss
Per Share
For the year ended December 31, 2023 . . . . . $
25.7
0.9 % $
(55.4) $
(1.14)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-
related charges, net (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(24.0)
(1.2) %
(18.0)
(0.40)
Other operating income elements (2)
. . . . . . . .
17.5
1.0 %
13.1
0.30
Operating Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.2
0.7 %
(60.3)
(1.24)
Interest expense (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N/A
N/A
4.1
0.06
Net pension income (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N/A
N/A
(0.7)
(0.02)
Income taxes (5)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N/A
N/A
6.0
0.13
For the year ended December 31, 2024 . . . . . $
19.2
0.7 % $
(50.9) $
(1.07)
______________________________
(1)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net increased $24.0 million ($18.0 million, net of tax), to
$101.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, and included the following:
a.
A $4.6 million decrease in employee termination charges from $35.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023,
to $30.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024;
b.
A $49.7 million increase in impairment charges from $25.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, to
$74.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024;
c.
A $4.8 million decrease in transaction-related charges from $4.2 million of expense during the year ended
December 31, 2023, to $0.6 million of income during the year ended December 31, 2024;
d.
A $0.6 million decrease in integration-related charges from $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, to
$0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024; and
e.
A $15.7 million decrease in various other restructuring charges from $12.0 million of expense during the year ended
December 31, 2023, to $3.7 million of income during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The Company expects to incur additional restructuring and integration costs in future reporting periods in connection with
eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly aligning its cost structure in conjunction with the Company’s
acquisitions and strategic investments, and other cost reduction programs.
(2)
Other operating income elements increased $17.5 million ($13.1 million, net of tax) primarily due to the following: (1) a
$26.3 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense; (2) impacts from improved manufacturing productivity; and (3)
savings from other cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by print volume decreases and a $12.3 million increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses.
(3)
Interest expense decreased $5.5 million ($4.1 million, net of tax) during the year ended December 31, 2024, to $64.5 million.
This change was due to lower average debt levels and a $1.7 million decrease in interest expense related to the interest rate swap,
partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate on borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared
to the year ended December 31, 2023.
(4)
Net pension income decreased $0.9 million ($0.7 million, net of tax) during the year ended December 31, 2024, to $0.8 million.
This was due to a $1.7 million decrease from the expected long-term return on pension plan assets and a $0.4 million increase in
the amortization of actuarial loss, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease from interest cost on pension plan liabilities.
42
(5)
The $6.0 million decrease in income tax expense as calculated in the following table is primarily due to the following: (1) a $16.3
million decrease in the Company’s liability for audit assessments and unrecognized tax benefits; (2) a $5.1 million decrease from
adjustments to deferred tax assets; (3) a $1.7 million decrease from differences in foreign statutory income tax rates; and (4) a
$1.7 million decrease from the impact of foreign branches. These decreases were partially offset by a $9.8 million increase from
from valuation allowance reserve and an $8.7 million increase from non-deductible impairments charges related to the European
operations.
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
(dollars in millions)
Loss before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(44.5)
$
(42.6)
$
(1.9)
Normalized tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.0 %
25.0 %
Income tax benefit at normalized tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(11.1)
(10.7)
(0.4)
Less: Income tax expense from the consolidated statements of operations . . . . . .
6.4
12.8
(6.4)
Impact of income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
17.5
$
23.5
$
(6.0)
Operating Results
The following table sets forth certain information from the Company’s consolidated statements of operations on
an absolute dollar basis and as a relative percentage of total net sales for each noted period, together with the relative
percentage change in such information between the periods set forth below:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
% of Net
Sales
2023
% of Net
Sales
$ Change
%
Change
(dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2,099.2
78.6 % $
2,334.1
78.9 % $
(234.9)
(10.1) %
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
573.0
21.4 %
623.6
21.1 %
(50.6)
(8.1) %
Total net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,672.2
100.0 %
2,957.7
100.0 %
(285.5)
(9.7) %
Cost of sales:
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,736.4
65.0 %
1,984.7
67.1 %
(248.3)
(12.5) %
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
355.8
13.3 %
396.5
13.4 %
(40.7)
(10.3) %
Total cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,092.2
78.3 %
2,381.2
80.5 %
(289.0)
(12.1) %
Selling, general & administrative expenses .
356.8
13.4 %
344.5
11.6 %
12.3
3.6 %
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . .
102.5
3.8 %
128.8
4.4 %
(26.3)
(20.4) %
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-
related charges, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101.5
3.8 %
77.5
2.6 %
24.0
31.0 %
Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . .
2,653.0
99.3 %
2,932.0
99.1 %
(279.0)
(9.5) %
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
19.2
0.7 % $
25.7
0.9 % $
(6.5)
(25.3) %
43
Net Sales
Product sales decreased $234.9 million, or 10.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year
ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following: (1) a $142.1 million decrease from paper sales; (2) a $91.4
million decrease in sales in the Company’s print product lines, mainly due to decreased print volumes and a higher mix
of lower unit price gravure versus offset print in our magazine and catalog print offerings; and (3) $1.4 million in
unfavorable foreign exchange impacts.
Service sales, which primarily consist of logistics, distribution, marketing services, imaging and medical
services, decreased $50.6 million, or 8.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended
December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $44.2 million decrease in marketing services and medical services and a $6.4
million decrease in logistics sales from lower print volumes.
Cost of Sales
Cost of product sales decreased $248.3 million, or 12.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to
the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following: (1) a decrease in paper costs; (2) the impact from
lower print volumes; (3) impacts from improved manufacturing productivity; and (4) other cost reduction initiatives.
Cost of service sales decreased $40.7 million, or 10.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the
year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the impact from lower marketing services and decreased freight
volumes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $12.3 million, or 3.6%, for the year ended December 31,
2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $10.8 million increase from unfavorable
foreign exchange impacts and a $4.4 million increase in employee-related expenses, partially offset by a $4.1 million
gain on the sale of an investment in 2024. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales
increased from 11.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023, to 13.4% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization decreased $26.3 million, or 20.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2024,
compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, due to a $15.9 million decrease in depreciation expense, primarily due
to impacts from plant closures and from property, plant and equipment becoming fully depreciated over the past year,
and a $10.4 million decrease in amortization expense, primarily from intangible assets becoming fully amortized over the
past year.
44
Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net increased $24.0 million, or 31.0%, for the year
ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
(dollars in millions)
Employee termination charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
30.5
$
35.1
$
(4.6)
Impairment charges (a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74.9
25.2
49.7
Transaction-related charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.6)
4.2
(4.8)
Integration costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
1.0
(0.6)
Other restructuring charges (income)
Vacant facility carrying costs and lease exit charges . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.2
16.6
(2.4)
Equipment and infrastructure removal costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
0.9
0.7
Gains on the sale of facilities (b)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(20.5)
(9.2)
(11.3)
Other restructuring activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
3.7
(2.7)
Other restructuring charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3.7)
12.0
(15.7)
Total restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . $
101.5
$
77.5
$
24.0
______________________________
(a)
Includes $74.9 million and $25.2 million of impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively, which consisted of the following: (1) $57.6 million of impairment to reduce the carrying value of the European
operations to its estimated fair value, including $41.6 million for foreign currency translation adjustments and $16.0 million for
property, plant and equipment in 2024; (2) $14.2 million and $17.5 million, respectively, for machinery and equipment no longer
being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, as well as other capacity reduction activities; (3) $4.1 million for
software licensing and related implementation costs from a terminated project in 2023; and (4) $3.1 million and $3.6 million,
respectively, for operating lease right-of-use assets.
(b)
Includes a $20.5 million gain on the sale of the Saratoga Springs, New York facility during the year ended December 31, 2024
and a $9.2 million gain on the sale of the Merced, California facility during the year ended December 31, 2023.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin—Consolidated
EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss), excluding (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense and
(3) depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. EBITDA and
EBITDA margin are presented to provide additional information regarding Quad’s performance. Both are important
measures by which Quad gauges the profitability and assesses the performance of its business. EBITDA and EBITDA
margin are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered alternatives to net earnings (loss) as a measure
of operating performance, or to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad’s calculation
of EBITDA and EBITDA margin may be different from the calculations used by other companies, and therefore,
comparability may be limited.
EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended
December 31, 2023, were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
% of Net Sales
2023
% of Net Sales
(dollars in millions)
EBITDA and EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . $
122.5
4.6 % $
156.2
5.3 %
45
EBITDA decreased $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended
December 31, 2023, primarily due to $24.0 million of increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related
charges, net and impacts from lower print volumes and marketing services sales, partially offset by impacts from
improved manufacturing productivity and savings from other cost reduction initiatives.
A reconciliation of EBITDA to net loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
(dollars in millions)
Net loss (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64.5
70.0
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.4
12.8
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102.5
128.8
EBITDA (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
122.5
$
156.2
______________________________
(1)
Net loss included the following:
a.
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net of $101.5 million and $77.5 million for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
United States Print and Related Services
The following table summarizes net sales, operating income, operating margin and certain items impacting
comparability within the United States Print and Related Services segment:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
(dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,775.0
$
1,949.7
$
(174.7)
(9.0) %
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
554.5
604.6
(50.1)
(8.3) %
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and
transaction-related charges, net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
112.8
56.6
56.2
99.3 %
Operating margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.8 %
2.2 %
N/A
N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net $
42.8
$
66.3
$
(23.5)
(35.4) %
Net Sales
Product sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $174.7 million, or 9.0%, for
the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $100.2 million
decrease from paper sales and a $74.5 million decrease in sales in the Company’s print product lines, mainly due to
decreased print volumes and a higher mix of lower unit price gravure versus offset print in our magazine and catalog
print offerings.
Service sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $50.1 million, or 8.3%, for the
year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $44.1 million
decrease in marketing services and medical services and a $6.0 million decrease in logistics sales from lower print
volumes.
46
Operating Income
Operating income for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased $56.2 million, or 99.3%,
for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following:
(1) a $23.5 million decrease in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net; (2) a $23.2 million
decrease in depreciation and amortization expense; (3) impacts from improved manufacturing productivity; and (4)
savings from other cost reduction initiatives; partially offset by the impact from decreased print volumes and marketing
services sales.
The operating margin for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased to 4.8% for the year
ended December 31, 2024, from 2.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the reasons provided
above.
Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net for the United States Print and Related Services
segment decreased $23.5 million, or 35.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended
December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
(dollars in millions)
Employee termination charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
29.8
$
34.3
$
(4.5)
Impairment charges (a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17.1
23.2
(6.1)
Integration costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
—
0.4
Other restructuring charges (income)
Vacant facility carrying costs and lease exit charges . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.2
16.6
(2.4)
Equipment and infrastructure removal costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
0.9
0.7
Gains on the sale of facilities (b)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(20.5)
(9.2)
(11.3)
Other restructuring activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.2
0.5
(0.3)
Other restructuring charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.5)
8.8
(13.3)
Total restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . $
42.8
$
66.3
$
(23.5)
______________________________
(a)
Includes $17.1 million and $23.2 million of impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively, which consisted of the following: (1) $14.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, for machinery and equipment no
longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, as well as other capacity reduction; (2) $4.1 million for
software licensing and related implementation costs from a terminated project in 2023; and (3) $3.1 million and $3.6 million,
respectively, for operating lease right-of-use assets.
(b)
Includes a $20.5 million gain on the sale of the Saratoga Springs, New York facility during the year ended December 31, 2024,
and a $9.2 million gain on the sale of the Merced, California facility during the year ended December 31, 2023.
47
International
The following table summarizes net sales, operating income (loss), operating margin, and certain items
impacting comparability within the International segment:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
(dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
324.2
$
384.4
$
(60.2)
(15.7) %
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.5
19.0
(0.5)
(2.6) %
Operating income (loss) (including restructuring, impairment
and transaction-related charges, net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(45.7)
18.3
(64.0)
nm
Operating margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(13.3) %
4.5 %
N/A
N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net $
61.9
$
9.6
$
52.3
nm
Net Sales
Product sales for the International segment decreased $60.2 million, or 15.7%, for the year ended December 31,
2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following: (1) a $41.9 million decrease in
paper sales; (2) a $16.9 million decrease in print volume, primarily in Europe and Mexico; and (3) $1.4 million in
unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, primarily in Mexico.
Service sales for the International segment decreased $0.5 million, or 2.6%, for the year ended December 31,
2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $0.4 million decrease in logistics sales and a
$0.1 million decrease in marketing services sales.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income (loss) for the International segment decreased $64.0 million for the year ended December 31,
2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $52.3 million increase in restructuring,
impairment and transaction-related charges, net and a $14.7 million decrease in operating income from decreased print
product volume, primarily in Mexico, Peru and Europe, partially offset by a $3.0 million decrease in depreciation and
amortization.
48
Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net for the International segment increased
$52.3 million, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to
the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
(dollars in millions)
Employee termination charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.7
$
0.5
$
0.2
Impairment charges (a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57.8
2.0
55.8
Transaction-related charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.6
2.7
(0.1)
Integration costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
1.0
(1.0)
Other restructuring charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.8
3.4
(2.6)
Total restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . $
61.9
$
9.6
$
52.3
______________________________
(a)
Includes $57.8 million and $2.0 million of impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively, which consisted of $57.6 million of impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of the European operations to
its estimated fair value, including $41.6 million for foreign currency translation adjustments and $16.0 million for property, plant
and equipment during 2024, and $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, for machinery and equipment no longer being
utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, as well as other capacity reduction activities.
Corporate
The following table summarizes unallocated operating expenses presented as Corporate:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
(dollars in millions)
Operating expenses (including restructuring, impairment and
transaction-related charges, net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
47.9
$
49.2
$
(1.3)
(2.6) %
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net
(3.2)
1.6
(4.8)
nm
Operating Expenses
Corporate operating expenses decreased $1.3 million, or 2.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2024,
compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $4.8 million decrease in restructuring, impairment
and transaction-related charges, net, partially offset by a $4.8 million increase in employee-related costs.
49
Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net
Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net decreased $4.8 million, for the year
ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
$ Change
(dollars in millions)
Employee termination charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
—
$
0.3
$
(0.3)
Transaction-related charges (income) (a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3.2)
1.5
(4.7)
Other restructuring charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(0.2)
0.2
Total restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . . . . $
(3.2) $
1.6
$
(4.8)
______________________________
(a)
Includes professional service fees related to business acquisitions and divestiture activities, as well as adjustments to estimated
acquisition consideration in 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company utilizes cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its credit facilities to satisfy its
liquidity and capital requirements. The Company had total liquidity of $328.1 million as of December 31, 2024, which
consisted of up to $298.9 million of unused capacity under its revolving credit arrangement, which was net of
$25.7 million of issued letters of credit, and cash and cash equivalents of $29.2 million. This is the most restrictive
liquidity measure currently applicable under the credit agreement. There were no borrowings under the $324.6 million
revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2024.
The Company believes its expected future cash flows from operating activities and its current liquidity and
capital resources, are sufficient to fund ongoing operating requirements and service debt and pension requirements for
both the next 12 months and beyond.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities was $112.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared
to $147.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, resulting in a $34.7 million decrease in cash provided by
operating activities. The decrease was primarily due to a $49.9 million decrease in cash flows provided by changes in
operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $15.2 million increase in cash from earnings.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net cash provided by investing activities was $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to
net cash used in investing activities of $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, resulting in a $59.1 million
increase in cash provided by investing activities. The increase was primarily due to the following: (1) a $22.2 million
increase in proceeds from the sale of an investment; (2) a $17.4 million increase in proceeds from the sale of property,
plant and equipment; (3) a $13.6 million decrease in purchases of property, plant and equipment; (4) a $3.3 million
decrease in cash used in other investing activities; (5) a $1.5 million decrease in cash used in the acquisition of a
business; (6) a $0.6 million decrease in loan to an unconsolidated entity; and (7) a $0.5 million decrease in cost
investment in unconsolidated entities.
50
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net cash used in financing activities was $149.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to
$73.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, resulting in a $75.5 million increase in cash used in financing
activities. The increase was primarily due to the following: (1) a $74.4 million increase in net payments of debt and
lease obligations in 2024 compared to 2023; (2) a $9.3 million increase in payment of dividends; (3) a $4.4 million
increase in payments of debt issuance costs and financing fees; and (4) a $0.4 million increase in equity awards
redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations. These increases were partially offset by a $12.6 million decrease in
purchases of treasury stock and a $0.4 million decrease in cash used for other financing activities.
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and
equipment.
The Company’s management assesses Free Cash Flow as a measure to quantify cash available for
(1) strengthening the balance sheet (debt and pension liability reduction), (2) strategic capital allocation and deployment
through investments in the business (acquisitions and strategic investments) and (3) returning capital to the shareholders
(dividends and share repurchases). The priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances
dictate for the business, and Free Cash Flow can be significantly impacted by the Company’s restructuring activities and
other unusual items.
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows
provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad’s calculation of Free Cash Flow may be different from
similar calculations used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited.
Free Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
(dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
112.9
$
147.6
Less: purchases of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57.2
70.8
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
55.7
$
76.8
Free Cash Flow decreased $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended
December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $34.7 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities, partially
offset by a $13.6 million decrease in capital expenditures. See the “Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities” section
above for further explanations of the change in operating cash flows.
Debt Leverage Ratio
The Debt Leverage Ratio is defined as total debt and finance lease obligations less cash and cash equivalents
(Net Debt) divided by the trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA, comprised of the sum of the last twelve months of
EBITDA (see the definition of EBITDA and the reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA in the “Results of Operations”
section above) and restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net.
51
The Company uses the Debt Leverage Ratio as a metric to assess liquidity and the flexibility of its balance
sheet. Consistent with other liquidity metrics, the Company monitors the Debt Leverage Ratio as a measure to determine
the appropriate level of debt the Company believes is optimal to operate its business, and accordingly, to quantify debt
capacity available for strengthening the balance sheet through debt and pension liability reduction, for strategic capital
allocation and deployment through investments in the business, and for returning capital to the shareholders. The
priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and the Debt
Leverage Ratio can be significantly impacted by the amount and timing of large expenditures requiring debt financing, as
well as changes in profitability.
The Debt Leverage Ratio is a non-GAAP measure, and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows
provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad’s calculation of the Debt Leverage Ratio may be
different from similar calculations used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
The Debt Leverage Ratio calculated below differs from the Total Leverage Ratio, the Total Net Leverage Ratio
and Senior Secured Leverage Ratio included in the Company’s debt covenant calculations (see “Covenants and
Compliance” section below for further information on debt covenants). The Total Leverage Ratio included in the
Company’s debt covenants includes interest rate derivative liabilities and letters of credit as debt, and excludes non-cash
stock-based compensation expense from EBITDA. The Total Net Leverage Ratio includes and excludes the same
adjustments as the Total Leverage Ratio, in addition to netting domestic unrestricted cash with debt. Similarly, the
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio includes and excludes the same adjustments as the Total Leverage Ratio, in addition to
netting domestic unrestricted cash with debt.
The Debt Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
(dollars in millions)
Total debt and finance lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
379.2
$
522.7
Less: Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29.2
52.9
Net Debt (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
350.0
$
469.8
Divided by: Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
224.0
$
233.7
Debt Leverage Ratio (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.56 x
2.01 x
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
(dollars in millions)
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64.5
70.0
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.4
12.8
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102.5
128.8
EBITDA (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
122.5
$
156.2
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101.5
77.5
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
224.0
$
233.7
52
The Debt Leverage Ratio, at December 31, 2024, decreased 0.45x to 1.56x compared to December 31, 2023,
primarily due to a $119.8 million decrease in Net Debt, partially offset by a $9.7 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA.
The Debt Leverage Ratio, at December 31, 2024, is within management’s desired target Debt Leverage Ratio range of
1.50x to 2.00x; however, the Company will operate at times above the Debt Leverage Ratio target range depending on
the timing of compelling strategic investment opportunities, as well as seasonal working capital needs.
Description of Significant Outstanding Debt Obligations as of December 31, 2024
As of December 31, 2024, the Company utilized a combination of debt instruments to fund cash requirements,
including the following:
•
Senior Secured Credit Facility:
◦
$324.6 million revolving credit facility (no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2024); and
◦
$825.0 million Term Loan A ($360.8 million outstanding as of December 31, 2024);
Senior Secured Credit Facility
On April 28, 2014, the Company entered into its Senior Secured Credit Facility, which included a revolving
credit facility, Term Loan A and Term Loan B (Term Loan B was retired in July 2019). The Company completed the
seventh amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on January 24, 2023, which transitioned the Company’s
reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR effective February 1, 2023. The Company elected the practical expedient outlined
in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 which allowed the Company to prospectively
adjust the effective interest rate after the reference rate change. The transition from LIBOR to SOFR did not have a
material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company completed the eighth amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on January 4, 2024, which
added an additional $25.0 million principal value to the Term Loan A (under the Extended Maturity Date, as defined
below). On January 31, 2024, the Company used liquidity available under its revolving credit facility and available cash
on hand to fund the repayment on maturity of $87.7 million aggregate principal amount, outstanding at the time, of its
Term Loan A.
The Company completed the ninth amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Ninth Amendment”)
on October 18, 2024. The Senior Secured Credit Facility was amended to: (1) reduce the aggregate amount of the
existing revolving credit facility from $342.5 million to $324.6 million, and extend the maturity of a portion of the
revolving credit facility such that $17.7 million under the revolving credit facility will be due on the existing maturity
date of November 2, 2026 (the “Existing Maturity Date”) and $306.9 million under the revolving credit facility with be
due on October 18, 2029 (the “Extended Maturity Date); (2) extend the maturity of a portion of the existing Term Loan
A such that $8.7 million of such term loan facility will be due on the Existing Maturity Date and $193.2 million will be
due on the Extended Maturity Date; (3) make certain adjustments to pricing, including an increase of 0.50% to the
interest rate margin applicable to the loans maturing on the Extended Maturity Date; and (4) modify certain financial and
operational covenants retroactive to September 30, 2024, including the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (net indebtedness
to consolidated EBITDA) shall not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 for any fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30, 2024, as
well as the Total Leverage Ratio (consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA) shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00
for any fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30, 2024.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A made under the Senior Secured Credit Facility
bear interest at 3.00% in excess of reserve adjusted SOFR, or 2.00% in excess of an alternate base rate with a SOFR floor
of 0.75% for the extended tranche and bear interest at 2.50% in excess of reserve adjusted SOFR, or 1.50% in excess of
an alternate base rate with a SOFR floor of 0.75% for the non-extending tranche.
53
At December 31, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and had
$25.7 million of issued letters of credit, leaving up to $298.9 million available for future borrowings. This is the most
restrictive liquidity measure currently applicable under the credit agreement. The Senior Secured Credit Facility is
secured by substantially all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also
requires the Company to provide additional collateral to the lenders in certain limited circumstances.
Master Note and Security Agreement
On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, the Company entered into its Master Note
and Security Agreement. On November 25, 2024, the Company used liquidity available under its revolving credit
facility and available cash on hand to fund the repayment of the total outstanding aggregate principal balance of $1.5
million, thus terminating the Master Note and Security Agreement. The notes were collateralized by certain United
States press equipment under the terms of the Master Note and Security Agreement.
Covenants and Compliance
The Company’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants (all financial terms, numbers
and ratios are as defined in the Company’s debt agreements). Among these covenants, the Company was required to
maintain the following as of December 31, 2024:
•
Total Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the Total Leverage Ratio, defined as consolidated
total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2024, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio was 1.68 to 1.00).
•
If there is any amount outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility or Term Loan A, or if any lender has
any revolving credit exposure or Term Loan A credit exposure, the Company is required to maintain the
following:
◦
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio. On a rolling four-quarter basis, the Senior Secured Leverage
Ratio, defined as the ratio of consolidated senior secured net indebtedness to consolidated
EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 for any fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30,
2024 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage
Ratio was 1.57 to 1.00).
◦
Interest Coverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as
consolidated EBITDA to cash consolidated interest expense, shall not be less than 3.00 to 1.00 (for
the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s Interest Coverage Ratio was
4.18 to 1.00).
The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in its debt agreements as of December 31, 2024.
While the Company currently expects to be in compliance in future periods with all of the financial covenants, there can
be no assurance that these covenants will continue to be met. The Company’s failure to maintain compliance with the
covenants could prevent the Company from borrowing additional amounts and could result in a default under any of the
debt agreements. Such default could cause the outstanding indebtedness to become immediately due and payable, by
virtue of cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
54
In addition to those covenants, the Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes certain limitations on
acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock.
•
If the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.75 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from
making greater than $60.0 million of dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other
payments, over the course of the agreement. If the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio is above 2.50 to 1.00
but below 2.75 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from making greater than $100.0 million of dividend
payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments, over the course of the agreement. If the
Total Leverage Ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions. As the Company’s Total
Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 1.68 to 1.00, the limitations described above are not
applicable at this time.
•
If the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or the Company’s Total Net
Leverage Ratio which, on a rolling twelve-month basis, is defined as consolidated net indebtedness to
consolidated EBITDA, is greater than 3.50 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from voluntarily prepaying
any unsecured or subordinated indebtedness, with certain exceptions (including any mandatory
prepayments on any unsecured or subordinated debt). If the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is less than
3.00 to 1.00 and the Total Net Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions. The
limitations described above are currently not applicable, as the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio
was 1.57 to 1.00 and Total Net Leverage Ratio was 1.57 to 1.00, as of December 31, 2024.
Net Pension Obligations
The net underfunded pension and MEPPs obligations decreased by $7.8 million during the year ended
December 31, 2024, from $63.4 million at December 31, 2023, to $55.6 million at December 31, 2024. This decrease
was primarily due to a $5.3 million decrease in the underfunded defined benefit plan obligations during the year ended
December 31, 2024. This $5.3 million decrease in the underfunded status was primarily due to a decrease in overall
pension obligations of $30.1 million from $32.5 million in benefits paid and $14.0 million from an actuarial gain, offset
by a $16.4 million increase in interest cost due to a 44 basis point increase in the pension discount rate from 5.11% at
December 31, 2023, to 5.55% at December 31, 2024. The decrease in pension obligations was partially offset by an
overall decrease of $24.8 million in pension plan assets from $32.5 million in benefits paid, offset by an actual gain on
pension plan assets of $5.6 million, or 2.99%, during the year ended December 31, 2024, which was below the expected
long-term return on plan assets assumption of 6.30%, and employer contributions of $2.1 million. There was a $2.5
million decrease in MEPPs obligations, primarily due to payments totaling $4.3 million made to the MEPPS during the
year ended December 31, 2024.
The Company continues to focus on reducing pension obligations through cash contributions to the plans, lump-
sum settlements and plan design changes.
55
Share Repurchase Program
On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0
million of the Company’s outstanding class A common stock. Under the authorization, share repurchases may be made
at the Company’s discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as
permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any
repurchase will depend on economic and market conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements
and other factors. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. There were no share repurchases during
the year ended December 31, 2024. The following repurchases occurred during the year ended December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2023
Shares of Class A common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,852,501
Weighted average price per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4.40
Total repurchases during the period (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
12.6
As of December 31, 2024, there were $77.5 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the program.
Risk Management
For a discussion of the Company’s exposure to market risks and management of those market risks, see
Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s
most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of
operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective estimates. Management is required
to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company’s management believes that such judgments and
estimates are made with consistent and appropriate methods based on information available at the time, and that any
reasonable deviation from those judgments and estimates would not have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial position or results of operations. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions. To the extent that the estimates used differ from actual results, adjustments to the
consolidated statements of operations and corresponding consolidated balance sheets would be necessary. These
adjustments would be made in future statements.
The Company has identified the following as its critical accounting policies and estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Performance Obligations
At contract inception, the Company assesses the products and services promised in its contracts with customers
and identifies performance obligations for each promise to transfer to the customer a product or service that is distinct.
To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers the goods or services promised in the contract
regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices. The Company
determined that the following distinct products and services represent separate performance obligations:
•
Pre-Press Services
•
Print
•
Other Services
56
For Pre-Press and Other Services, the Company recognizes revenue at point-in-time upon completion of the
performed service and acceptance by the customer. The Company considers transfer of control to occur once the service
is performed as the Company has right to payment and the customer has legal title and risk and reward of ownership.
The Company recognizes its Print revenues upon transfer of title and the passage of risk of loss, which is point-
in-time upon shipment to the customer, and when there is a reasonable assurance as to collectability. Revenues related to
the Company’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are included in the Print
performance obligation and are also recognized at point-in-time as services are completed. Revenues related to the
Company’s imaging operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services and page
production, are recognized in accordance with the terms of the contract, typically upon completion of the performed
service and acceptance by the customer. Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the
Company for future delivery and revenue is recognized upon shipment to the customer. In these situations, the Company
may receive warehouse management fees for the services it provides.
Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as
principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the
Company’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the
consolidated statements of operations in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K. Many of the Company’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may be supplied directly by
customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is recognized for customer-supplied
paper. Revenues for the Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis. In some instances, the Company will
deliver print work for a customer and bill the customer for postage. In these cases, the Company is acting as an agent
and billings are recorded on a net basis in net sales.
Significant Payment Terms
Payment terms and conditions for contracts with customers vary. The Company typically offers standard terms
of net 30 days. It is not the Company’s standard business practice to offer extended payment terms longer than one year.
The Company may offer cash discounts or prepayment and extended terms depending on certain facts and circumstances.
As such, when the timing of the Company’s delivery of products and services differs from the timing of payment, the
Company will record either a contract asset or a contract liability.
Variable Consideration
When evaluating the transaction price, the Company analyzes on a contract by contract basis all applicable
variable considerations and non-cash consideration and also performs a constraint analysis. The nature of the
Company’s contracts give rise to variable consideration, including, volume rebates, credits, discounts, and other similar
items that generally decrease the transaction price. These variable amounts generally are credited to the customer, based
on achieving certain levels of sales activity, when contracts are signed, or making payments within specific terms.
Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the
estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.
When the transaction price requires allocation to multiple performance obligations, the Company uses the
estimated stand-alone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.
Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment, Right-of-Use Assets and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
The Company performs impairment evaluations of its long-lived assets whenever business conditions, events or
circumstances indicate that those assets may be impaired, including whether the estimated useful life of such long-lived
assets may warrant revision or whether the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company’s most
significant long-lived assets are property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and customer relationship intangible
assets recorded in conjunction with an acquisition. Assessing the impairment of long-lived assets requires the Company
to make important estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the expected future cash flows that the assets
57
will generate, how the assets will be used based on the strategic direction of the Company, their remaining useful life and
their residual value, if any. Considerable judgment is also applied in incorporating the potential impact of the current
economic climate on customer demand and selling prices, the cost of production and the limited activity on secondary
markets for the assets and on the cost of capital. When the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by
the assets are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the assets are written down to fair value and a charge is
recorded to current operations. The Company uses internal discounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when
available and independent appraisals, as appropriate, to determine fair value. This fair value determination was
categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 13, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” to
the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the definition of Level 3 inputs).
The Company classifies long-lived assets to be sold as held for sale in the period in which: (i) there is an
approved plan to sell the asset and the Company is committed to that plan, (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in
its present condition, (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to sell the asset have been
initiated, (iv) the sale of the asset is probable, (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable
in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan
will be withdrawn. Assets held for sale are initially measured at the lower of the carrying value or the fair value less cost
to sell. Losses resulting from this measurement are recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met
while gains are not recognized until the date of sale. Once designated as held for sale, the Company stops recording
depreciation expense on the property, plant and equipment. The fair value less cost to sell of long-lived assets held for
sale is assessed at each reporting period until it no longer meets this classification.
Based on the assessments completed during the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company
recognized property, plant and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets impairment charges of $33.3 million
and $21.1 million, respectively, primarily related to the reduction of the carrying value of the European operations to its
estimated fair value due to the held for sale determination, facility consolidations and other capacity reduction. There
were no finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges recorded during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company continues to monitor groups of assets to identify any new events or changes in circumstances that
could indicate that their carrying values are not recoverable, particularly in light of potential declines in profitability that
may result from the highly competitive industry landscape and continued uncertainty in the global economy. In the event
that there are significant and unanticipated changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in business
climate, adverse actions by regulators, unanticipated competition, loss of key customers and/or changes in technology or
markets, or that actual results differ from management’s estimates, a provision for impairment could be required in a
future period.
Workers’ Compensation
The Company is self-insured for a significant portion of its expected workers’ compensation program.
Insurance is purchased for individual workers’ compensation claims that exceed $0.8 million. The Company establishes
reserves for unresolved claims and for an estimate of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. These reserves and
estimates of IBNR claims are based upon an actuarial study, which is performed annually as of October 31st and is
adjusted by the actuarially determined losses and actual claims payments for November and December. The Company
also monitors actual claim developments, including incurrence or settlement of individual large claims during the interim
periods between actuarial studies as another means of estimating the adequacy of the reserves. As of December 31,
2024, the Company has net reserves for workers’ compensation of $24.0 million, of which $5.6 million was recorded in
other current liabilities and $25.7 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets
(see Note 8, “Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities”). These reserves are net of $7.3 million recorded in other long-
term assets in the consolidated balance sheets for claims covered by purchased insurance.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 23, “New Accounting Pronouncements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8,
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
58
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to a variety of market risks which may adversely impact the Company’s results of
operations and financial condition, including changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the
economic environment that would impact credit positions and changes in the prices of certain commodities. The
Company’s management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures
that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of
various risks. These risk management strategies may not fully insulate the Company from adverse impacts due to market
risks.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on variable rate debt obligations and price risk on fixed rate debt
and finance leases. The variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2024, was primarily comprised of $360.8 million
outstanding on the Term Loan A. As of December 31, 2024, there was no outstanding balance on the revolving credit
facility. In order to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of Quad’s variable-
rate debt, the Company entered into two $75.0 million interest rate collars in February 2023 and a $50.0 million interest
rate swap in April 2024, and has classified $200.0 million of the Company’s variable rate debt as fixed rate debt.
Including the impact of the $200.0 million interest rate hedges of variable rate to fixed rate debt, Quad had variable rate
debt outstanding of $165.4 million at a current weighted average interest rate of 7.9% and fixed rate debt and finance
leases outstanding of $213.8 million at a current weighted average interest rate of 7.6% as of December 31, 2024. A
hypothetical 10% increase in the market interest rates impacting the Company’s current weighted average interest rate on
variable rate debt obligations would change the fair value of floating rate debt at December 31, 2024 by approximately
$1.4 million. In addition, a hypothetical 10% change in market interest rates would change the fair value of fixed rate
debt at December 31, 2024 by approximately $0.2 million.
Foreign Currency Risk and Translation Exposure
The Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations in certain countries in which it operates.
The exposure to foreign currency movements is limited in most countries because the operating revenues and expenses
of its various subsidiaries and business units are substantially in the local currency of the country in which they operate.
To the extent revenues and expenses are not in the applicable local currency, the Company may enter into foreign
exchange forward contracts to hedge the currency risk.
Although operating in local currencies may limit the impact of currency rate fluctuations on the results of
operations of the Company’s non-United States subsidiaries and business units, rate fluctuations may impact the
consolidated financial position as the assets and liabilities of its foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in
preparing the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries
had net current assets (defined as current assets less current liabilities) subject to foreign currency translation risk of
$82.9 million. The potential decrease in net current assets as of December 31, 2024, from a hypothetical 10% adverse
change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates would be approximately $8.3 million. This sensitivity analysis
assumes a parallel shift in all major foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. Exchange rates rarely move
in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar due to positive and negative correlations of the various global currencies.
This assumption may overstate or understate the impact of changing exchange rates on individual assets and liabilities
denominated in a foreign currency.
The Company’s hedging operations have historically not been material, and gains or losses from these
operations have not been material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The
Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
These international operations are subject to risks typical of international operations, including, but not limited
to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, potential restrictions on the movement of funds, differing
tax structures, and other regulations and restrictions. Accordingly, future results could be adversely impacted by changes
in these or other factors.
59
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the possibility of loss from a client’s failure to make payments according to contract terms. Prior
to granting credit, each client is evaluated in an underwriting process, taking into consideration the prospective client’s
financial condition, past payment experience, credit bureau information and other financial and qualitative factors that
may affect the client’s ability to pay. Specific credit reviews and standard industry credit scoring models are used in
performing this evaluation. Clients’ financial condition is continuously monitored as part of the normal course of
business. Some of the Company’s clients are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own operating and regulatory
risks. Based on those client account reviews and the continued uncertainty of the global economy, the Company has
established an allowance for credit losses of $21.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
The Company has a large, diverse client base and does not have a high degree of concentration with any single
client account. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s largest client accounted for less than 5% of
the Company’s net sales. Even if the Company’s credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, the Company
may experience financial losses in its dealings with clients and other parties. Any increase in nonpayment or
nonperformance by clients could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Economic disruptions could result in significant future charges.
Commodity Risk
The primary raw materials that the Company uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. At this time,
the Company’s supply of raw materials are available from numerous vendors. The Company generally buys these raw
materials based upon market prices that are established with the vendor as part of the procurement process. The price of
such raw materials has fluctuated over time and has caused fluctuations in the Company’s net sales and cost of sales.
This volatility may continue and the Company may experience increases in the costs of its raw materials in the future as
prices in the overall paper, ink and energy markets are expected to remain beyond its control. The price and availability
of paper may also be adversely affected by paper mills’ permanent or temporary closures; paper mills’ access to raw
materials, conversion to produce other types of paper, and ability to transport paper produced; and tariffs and trade
restrictions.
Approximately half of the paper used by the Company is supplied directly by its clients. For those clients that
do not directly supply their own paper, the Company makes use of its purchasing efficiencies to supply paper by
negotiating with leading paper vendors, uses a wide variety of paper grades, weights and sizes, and does not rely on any
one vendor. In addition, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for paper and other
critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk, higher paper
prices and tight paper supplies, as well as changes in the United States import or trade regulations may have an impact on
client demand for printed products. The Company’s working capital requirements, including the impact of seasonality,
are partially mitigated through the direct purchasing of paper by its clients.
The Company produces the majority of ink used in its print production, allowing it to control the quality, cost
and supply of key inputs. Raw materials for the ink manufacturing process are purchased externally from a variety of
vendors. The price and availability of ink and ink components may be adversely affected by the availability of
component raw materials, labor and transportation.
The Company may not be able to fully pass on to clients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy
prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in energy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of its
operations. The Company mitigates its risk through natural gas hedges when appropriate. In its logistics operations,
however, the Company is able to pass a substantial portion of any increase in fuel prices directly to its clients.
To the extent the cost of other raw materials increase and the Company is not able to increase selling prices of
its products, then the Company may experience margin declines.
60
Management believes a hypothetical 10% change in the price of paper and other raw materials would not have a
significant direct impact on the Company’s consolidated annual results of operations or cash flows; however, significant
increases in commodity pricing or tight supply could influence future client demand for printed products.
61
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Quad/Graphics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Quad/Graphics, Inc. (the Company) as of
December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’
equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 20, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion
thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those
risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements
that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or
disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or
complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the
consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below,
providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
62
Measurement of accrued liabilities for workers’ compensation claims
Description of the
Matter
At December 31, 2024, the Company’s consolidated accrued liabilities for workers’
compensation claims were $31.3 million and included within other current and long-term
liabilities. As discussed in Note 1, the Company establishes accrued liabilities for workers’
compensation claims reported plus an estimate for loss development and potential claims that
have been incurred but not reported (IBNR) to the Company or its insurance provider. The
IBNR calculation utilizes a variety of assumptions, including but not limited to selected loss
development factors, loss trend rates, increased limit factors and loss rates. The accrued
liabilities for workers’ claims are based upon an actuarial analysis performed annually by
actuarial specialists as of October 31 and are adjusted by the actuarially determined losses and
actual claims payments to update through year end.
Auditing management’s estimate of the IBNR was especially challenging due to the various
assumptions and the complexity of the actuarial analysis.
How We Addressed
the Matter in Our
Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of
controls over the measurement of accrued liabilities for workers’ compensation claims process,
which included, among others, management’s review and approval of the actuarial analysis
and related year-end update, management’s validation of data inputs as well as their review
and approval of assumptions used in the analysis.
To test the measurement of accrued liabilities for workers’ compensation claims, we
performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing methodologies and testing
the significant assumptions discussed above, as well as testing the completeness and accuracy
of the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis. We also involved our actuarial
professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in: (1) assessing the actuarial
models and procedures used by the Company by comparing them to generally accepted
actuarial methods and procedures to estimate the ultimate losses, (2) evaluating the Company’s
key assumptions and judgments underlying the Company’s estimate by developing an
independent range of the IBNR and comparing it against the Company’s recorded amount and
(3) evaluating the qualifications of the external actuarial specialists.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2022.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 20, 2025
63
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Quad/Graphics, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Quad/Graphics, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Quad/Graphics, Inc. (the Company)
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on
the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years
in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and our report dated February 20, 2025 expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and
the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 20, 2025
64
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2,099.2
$
2,334.1
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
573.0
623.6
Total net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,672.2
2,957.7
Cost of sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,736.4
1,984.7
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
355.8
396.5
Total cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,092.2
2,381.2
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
356.8
344.5
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102.5
128.8
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101.5
77.5
Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,653.0
2,932.0
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.2
25.7
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64.5
70.0
Net pension income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.8)
(1.7)
Loss before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(44.5)
(42.6)
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.4
12.8
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Loss per share
Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(1.07) $
(1.14)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47.6
48.4
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
65
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(18.3)
15.0
Translation of long-term loans to foreign subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.8
(1.9)
Total translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(15.5)
13.1
Interest rate derivative adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.1
2.5
Net gain (loss) arising from pension benefit plans during period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3
(5.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(13.1)
10.2
Income tax impact related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.5)
0.5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(13.6)
10.7
Total comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(64.5) $
(44.7)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
66
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share data)
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
29.2
$
52.9
Receivables, less allowances for credit losses of $21.5 million at December 31, 2024, and $25.7 million at
December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
273.2
316.2
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
162.4
178.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69.5
39.8
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
534.3
587.7
Property, plant and equipment—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
499.7
620.6
Operating lease right-of-use assets—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78.9
96.6
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100.3
103.0
Other intangible assets—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2
21.8
Other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78.6
80.0
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,299.0
$
1,509.7
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
356.7
$
373.6
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
289.2
237.6
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.0
151.7
Current portion of finance lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.8
2.5
Current portion of operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.0
25.4
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
698.7
790.8
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
349.1
362.5
Finance lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3
6.0
Operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61.4
77.2
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2
5.1
Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
135.4
148.6
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,249.1
1,390.2
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Shareholders’ equity (Note 17)
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 0.5 million shares; Issued: None . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
Common stock, Class A, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 105.0 million shares; Issued: 42.5 million shares
at December 31, 2024 and 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
1.0
Common stock, Class B, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 80.0 million shares; Issued: 13.3 million shares
at December 31, 2024, and 13.6 million shares at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
0.4
Common stock, Class C, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 20.0 million shares; Issued: 0.5 million shares
at December 31, 2024 and 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
842.8
842.7
Treasury stock, at cost, 4.2 million shares at December 31, 2024, and 5.6 million shares at December 31,
2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(28.0)
(33.1)
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(635.1)
(573.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(131.2)
(117.6)
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49.9
119.5
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,299.0
$
1,509.7
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
67
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102.5
128.8
Impairment charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74.9
25.2
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
2.0
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3
5.6
Gain on the sale of an investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.1)
—
Gains on the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(22.5)
(10.9)
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.0)
(3.7)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities—net of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.8
65.0
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4
90.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.9
18.5
Accounts payable and other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2
(106.7)
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(32.2)
(11.1)
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
112.9
147.6
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(57.2)
(70.8)
Cost investment in unconsolidated entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.2)
(0.7)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49.1
31.7
Proceeds from the sale of an investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22.2
—
Loan to an unconsolidated entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(0.6)
Acquisition of a business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(1.5)
Other investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.2)
(4.5)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.7
(46.4)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments of current and long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(183.7)
(51.9)
Payments of finance lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.7)
(2.6)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,458.1
1,437.9
Payments on revolving credit facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,457.8)
(1,442.6)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53.1
0.6
Payments of debt issuance costs and financing fees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.4)
—
Purchases of treasury stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(12.6)
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.1)
(1.7)
Payment of cash dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(9.4)
(0.1)
Other financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.2)
(0.6)
Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(149.1)
(73.6)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.2)
0.1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(23.7)
27.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52.9
25.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
29.2
$
52.9
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
68
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.6
$ 1.4
$ 841.8
(3.9) $ (23.5) $
(518.5) $
(128.3) $
172.9
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
(55.4)
—
(55.4)
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
13.1
13.1
Pension benefit plan liability adjustments, net of
$1.0 million tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
(4.4)
(4.4)
Interest rate derivatives adjustments, net of tax . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.0
2.0
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
5.6
—
—
—
—
5.6
Purchases of treasury stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
(2.9) (12.6)
—
—
(12.6)
Issuance of share-based awards, net of other activity . . . . .
—
—
(4.7) 1.5
4.7
—
—
—
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
(0.3)
(1.7)
—
—
(1.7)
Balance at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.6
$ 1.4
$ 842.7
(5.6) $ (33.1) $
(573.9) $
(117.6) $
119.5
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
(50.9)
—
(50.9)
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
(15.5)
(15.5)
Pension benefit plan liability adjustments, net of
$0.5 million tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
1.8
1.8
Interest rate derivatives adjustments, net of tax . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.1
0.1
Cash dividends declared ($0.20 per share) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
(10.3)
—
(10.3)
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
7.3
—
—
—
—
7.3
Conversion of class B shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.3)
—
(1.3) 0.3
1.3
—
—
—
Issuance of share-based awards, net of other activity . . . . .
—
—
(5.9) 1.4
5.9
—
—
—
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
(0.3)
(2.1)
—
—
(2.1)
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.3
$ 1.4
$ 842.8
(4.2) $ (28.0) $
(635.1) $
(131.2) $
49.9
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury Stock
Accumulated
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Quad’s
Shareholders’
Equity
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
69
Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations—Quad is a marketing experience (MX) company that simplifies the complexities of
marketing, removing friction from wherever it occurs along the marketing journey. Its results-driven approach enables
stronger marketing operations that lead to real, repeatable success for clients. The Company does this through its MX
Solutions Suite, which is flexible, scalable and connected. Quad tailors its solutions to each client’s objectives, driving
cost efficiencies, improving speed to market, strengthening marketing effectiveness and delivering value on investments.
The Company supports a diverse base of clients, including industry-leading blue-chip companies that serve both
businesses and consumers across multiple industry verticals, with a particular focus on commerce, including retail,
consumer packaged goods and direct-to-consumer; financial services; and health.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned controlled subsidiaries and have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP. The results of operations and accounts of businesses acquired are included in the
consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.
Investments in entities where the Company does not exert significant influence or control and has an ownership
interest of less than 20% are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Intercompany transactions and balances
have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Operations—Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into United States
dollars at the exchange rate existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at the
average rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are
recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of
shareholders’ equity, while transaction gains and losses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on
the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign exchange transactions resulted in losses of $6.4 million during the
year ended December 31, 2024 and gains of $4.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters
including, but not limited to: allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, asset valuations and useful lives,
pension benefits, self-insurance reserves, stock-based compensation, taxes, restructuring and other provisions and
contingencies.
Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the transfer
of control passes to the customer or when the service is completed and accepted by the customer. Under agreements
with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery and revenue is recognized upon
shipment to the customer. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it
provides. Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the
estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.
Revenue from services is recognized as services are performed. Revenues related to the Company’s imaging
operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services and page production, are recognized
in accordance with the terms of the contract, typically upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the
customer. Revenues related to the Company’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are
recognized upon completion of services.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
70
Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as
a principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the
Company’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the
consolidated statements of operations. Many of the Company’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may
be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is
recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis.
Financial Instruments—The Company uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging interest
rate, commodity and foreign exchange exposures that exist as part of ongoing business operations, including interest rate
swap and collar agreements, natural gas forward purchase contracts and foreign exchange contracts. As a policy, the
Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial
instruments for trading purposes.
Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at
their fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of
the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow
hedge, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item
affects earnings.
The ineffective portions of the changes in the fair value of hedges are recognized in earnings. Cash flows from
derivatives that are accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are included in the consolidated statements of cash
flows in the same category as the item being hedged.
Fair Value Measurement—The Company applies fair value accounting for all assets and liabilities that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in its consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value represents
the amount that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities
that are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market and the
market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. See
Note 13, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for further discussion.
Research and Development—Research and development costs related to the development of new products or
the adaptation of existing products are expensed as incurred, included in cost of sales and totaled $3.2 million and
$3.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Receivables—Receivables are stated net of allowances for credit losses. No single customer comprised more
than 5% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2024 or 2023, or 5% of the Company’s consolidated receivables as
of December 31, 2024 or 2023. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326—Financial
Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASC 326”), the Company measures expected credit losses for financial instruments,
including trade receivables, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. See Note 5,
“Receivables,” for further discussion on the transactions affecting the allowances for doubtful accounts.
Inventories—Inventories include material, labor, and plant overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or net
realizable value. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, raw material inventories were generally valued using the specific
identification method, and work-in-progress and finished good inventories were valued under the first-in, first-out
method. See Note 6, “Inventories,” for the components of the Company’s inventories.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
71
Leases—Leases are accounted for under the right-of-use model, which requires a lessee to record a right-of-use
asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases are classified
as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. See Note 11, “Leases,” for
additional accounting policies.
Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, and are depreciated over
the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. See Note 7,
“Property, Plant and Equipment,” for the components of the Company’s property, plant and equipment. Major
improvements that extend the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized and charged to the asset accounts. Repairs
and maintenance, which do not significantly improve or extend the useful lives of the respective assets, are expensed as
incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the
respective asset. When an asset is retired or disposed, the associated costs and accumulated depreciation are eliminated,
and the resulting gain or loss is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Category
Range of Useful Lives
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 to 40 Years
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 to 15 Years
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 to 10 Years
Other Intangible Assets—Identifiable intangible assets are recognized apart from goodwill and are amortized
over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets—The Company evaluates long-lived assets and other
intangible assets (of which the most significant are property, plant and equipment; right-of-use assets; and customer
relationship intangible assets) whenever events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying value of an
asset may not be recoverable. Determining whether impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and
assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life
over which cash flows will occur, their amount and the asset’s residual value, if any. In turn, assessing whether there is
an impairment loss requires a determination of recoverability, which is generally estimated by the ability to recover the
balance of the assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to
exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the difference in the fair value and carrying value of the asset.
Goodwill—Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment as of October 31, or more frequently if events or
changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying
value. In performing this analysis, the Company compares each reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value. The fair
value is estimated based on comparable company market valuations and/or expected future discounted cash flows to be
generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, an impairment loss would
be charged to operations in the period identified. See Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for further
discussion.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
72
Workers’ Compensation—The Company is self-insured for a significant portion of its expected workers’
compensation program. Insurance is purchased for individual workers’ compensation claims that exceed $0.8 million.
The Company establishes reserves for unresolved claims and for an estimate of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”)
claims. These reserves and estimates of IBNR claims are based upon an actuarial study, which is performed annually as
of October 31st and is adjusted by the actuarially determined losses and actual claims payments for November and
December. The Company also monitors actual claim developments, including incurrence or settlement of individual
large claims during the interim periods between actuarial studies as another means of estimating the adequacy of the
reserves. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has net reserves for workers’ compensation of $24.0 million, of which
$5.6 million was recorded in other current liabilities and $25.7 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities in the
consolidated balance sheets (see Note 8, “Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities”). These reserves are net of $7.3
million recorded in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets for estimated claims covered by purchased
insurance. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net reserves for workers’ compensation of $28.7 million, of
which $6.7 million was recorded in other current liabilities and $31.0 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities
in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 8, “Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities”). These reserves were net of
$9.0 million recorded in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets for estimated claims covered by
purchased insurance.
Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires
the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items reported in the
financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the differences
between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in
which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is
recognized in income in the period that includes the effective date of enactment.
The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely
than not be realized. This determination is based upon all available positive and negative evidence, including future
reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent
financial operations. If the Company determines that a deferred income tax asset will not be fully realized in the future,
then a valuation allowance is established or increased to reflect the amount at which the asset will more likely than not be
realized, which would increase the Company’s provision for income taxes. In a period after a valuation allowance has
been established, if the Company determines the related deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future in excess
of their net recorded amount, then an adjustment to reduce the related valuation allowance will be made, which would
reduce the Company’s provision for income taxes.
The Company is regularly audited by foreign and domestic tax authorities. These audits occasionally result in
proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution might result in the Company owing additional taxes, including in
some cases, penalties and interest. The Company recognizes a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when
it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. This recognized tax
position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not of being recognized upon ultimate
settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
73
The determination of the Company’s worldwide tax provision and related tax assets and liabilities requires the
use of significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and the interpretation of
complex tax laws. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the final tax outcome
is uncertain. Where fair market value is required to measure a tax asset or liability for GAAP purposes, the Company
periodically obtains independent, third party assistance to validate that such value is determined in conformity with
Internal Revenue Service fair market value guidelines. While the Company believes it has the appropriate support for
the positions taken, certain positions may be successfully challenged by taxing authorities. Resolution of these
uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s
financial condition and operating results. The Company applies the provisions of the authoritative guidance on
accounting for uncertain tax positions to determine the appropriate amount of tax benefits to be recognized with respect
to uncertain tax positions. The determination of the Company’s worldwide tax provision includes the impact of any
changes to the amount of tax benefits recognized with respect to uncertain tax positions. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,”
for further discussion.
Pension Plans—The Company assumed certain frozen underfunded defined benefit pension plans as part of the
2010 World Color Press acquisition. Pension plan costs are determined using actuarial methods and are funded through
contributions. The Company records amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations which include various
actuarial assumptions including discount rates, assumed rates of return, and mortality. The Company reviews its
actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and modifies the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is
appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the consolidated balance sheets, but
are generally amortized into operating income over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated
other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in
recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its
actuaries and investment advisors. For the purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, those assets are
valued at fair value. When an event gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is accounted for
prior to the settlement. The Company’s measurement date to measure the defined benefit plan assets and the projected
benefit obligation is December 31.
The Company has previously participated in MEPPs as a result of the acquisition of World Color Press. Due to
the significant underfunded status of the MEPPs, the Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced
these union sponsored “promise to pay in the future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored “pay as you go”
defined contribution plan, which is the form of retirement benefit provided to Quad’s employees. As a result of the
decision to withdraw, the Company recorded a withdrawal liability for the MEPPs based on information received from
the MEPPs’ trustees. See Note 14, “Employee Retirement Plans,” for further discussion.
Stock-Based Compensation—The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting
period for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on the fair value of the instrument at the time of
grant. See Note 16, “Equity Incentive Programs,” for further discussion.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists
primarily of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs for pension plans, foreign currency
translation adjustments and interest rate swap adjustments, and is presented in the consolidated statements of
shareholders’ equity. See Note 18, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,” for further discussion.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
74
Supplemental Cash Flow Information—The following table summarizes certain supplemental cash flow
information for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2024
2023
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
52.9
$
55.9
Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.7
12.2
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Non-cash finance lease additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.9
8.3
Non-cash operating lease additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2
18.9
Acquisition of a business:
Fair value of assets acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1
0.2
Liabilities assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
(15.3)
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.7)
16.6
Acquisitions of businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
—
$
1.5
Note 2. Revenue Recognition
Revenue Disaggregation
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by the Company’s operating segments
and major products and services offerings for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
United States Print
and Related Services
International
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Catalog, publications, retail inserts and directories . . . . . . $
1,258.2
$
221.1
$
1,479.3
Direct mail and other printed products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
506.5
103.0
609.5
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.3
0.1
10.4
Total Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,775.0
324.2
2,099.2
Logistics services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
248.0
16.1
264.1
Marketing services and medical services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
306.5
2.4
308.9
Total Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
554.5
18.5
573.0
Total Net Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2,329.5
$
342.7
$
2,672.2
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Catalog, publications, retail inserts and directories . . . . . . $
1,398.2
$
254.0
$
1,652.2
Direct mail and other printed products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
543.5
129.9
673.4
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.0
0.5
8.5
Total Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,949.7
384.4
2,334.1
Logistics services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
254.0
16.5
270.5
Marketing services and medical services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
350.6
2.5
353.1
Total Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
604.6
19.0
623.6
Total Net Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2,554.3
$
403.4
$
2,957.7
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
75
Nature of Products and Services
The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the transfer of control passes to the
client or when the service is completed and accepted by the client.
The products offering is predominantly comprised of the Company’s print operations which includes retail
inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, directories, in-store marketing and
promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global
paper procurement.
The Company considers its logistic operations as services, which include the delivery of printed material. The
services offering also includes revenues related to the Company’s marketing services operations, which include data and
analytics, technology solutions, media services, creative and content solutions, managed services and execution in non-
print channels (e.g., digital and broadcast), as well as medical services.
Performance Obligations
At contract inception, the Company assesses the products and services promised in its contracts with customers
and identifies performance obligations for each promise to transfer to the customer a product or service that is distinct.
To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers the goods or services promised in the contract
regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices. The Company
determined that the following distinct products and services represent separate performance obligations:
•
Pre-Press Services
•
Print
•
Other Services
For Pre-Press and Other Services, the Company recognizes revenue at point-in-time upon completion of the
performed service and acceptance by the customer. The Company considers transfer of control to occur once the service
is performed as the Company has right to payment and the customer has legal title and risk and reward of ownership.
The Company recognizes its Print revenues upon transfer of title and the passage of risk of loss, which is point-
in-time upon shipment to the customer, and when there is a reasonable assurance as to collectability. Revenues related to
the Company’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are included in the Print
performance obligation and are also recognized at point-in-time as services are completed, and when there is a
reasonable assurance as to collectability. Revenues related to the Company’s imaging operations, which include digital
content management, photography, color services and page production, are recognized in accordance with the terms of
the contract, typically upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. Under agreements
with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery and revenue is recognized upon
shipment to the customer. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it
provides. Revenue from warehouse management fees was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as
principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the
Company’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the
consolidated statements of operations. Many of the Company’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may
be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is
recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for the Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis. In
some cases, the Company will print items that are mailed to consumers and bill the customer for postage. In these cases,
the Company is acting as an agent and billings are recorded on a net basis in net sales.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
76
Significant Payment Terms
Payment terms and conditions for contracts with customers vary. The Company typically offers standard terms
of net 30 days. It is not the Company’s standard business practice to offer extended payment terms longer than one year.
The Company may offer cash discounts or prepayment and extended terms depending on certain facts and circumstances.
As such, when the timing of the Company’s delivery of products and services differs from the timing of payment, the
Company will record either a contract asset or a contract liability.
Variable Consideration
When evaluating the transaction price, the Company analyzes on a contract by contract basis all applicable
variable considerations and non-cash consideration and also performs a constraint analysis. The nature of the
Company’s contracts give rise to variable consideration, including, volume rebates, credits, discounts, and other similar
items that generally decrease the transaction price. These variable amounts generally are credited to the customer, based
on achieving certain levels of sales activity, when contracts are signed, or making payments within specific terms.
Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the
estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.
When the transaction price requires allocation to multiple performance obligations, the Company uses the
estimated stand-alone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.
Costs to Obtain Contracts
In accordance with ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), the Company defers
certain contract acquisition costs paid to the client at contract inception. When applicable, the Company also capitalizes
certain sales incentives of the sales compensation packages for costs that are directly attributed to being awarded a client
contract or renewal and would not have been incurred had the contract not been obtained. Costs to obtain contracts with
a duration of less than one year are expensed as incurred. For all contract costs with contracts over one year, the
Company amortizes the costs to obtain contracts on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the contract and
reviews quarterly for impairment. Activity impacting costs to obtain contracts for the year ended December 31, 2024,
was as follows:
Costs to Obtain
Contracts
Balance at January 1, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1.8
Costs to obtain contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.1
Amortization of costs to obtain contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.9)
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1.0
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
77
Practical Expedients
The Company has elected to apply the following practical expedients allowed under ASC 606:
•
For certain performance obligations related to print contracts, the Company has elected not to disclose the
value of unsatisfied performance obligations for the following: (1) contracts that have an original expected
length of one year or less; (2) contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced; or (3) contracts with
variable consideration related to unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company had no volume
commitments in contracts that extend beyond one year as of December 31, 2024.
•
The Company expenses costs to obtain contracts as incurred when the contract duration is less than one
year.
•
The transaction amount is not adjusted for a significant financing component as the period between transfer
of the products or services and payment is less than one year.
•
The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities, which includes postage, that occur after
control of the related products or services transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities and are therefore
recognized at time of shipping.
•
The Company excludes from its transaction price any amounts collected from customers for sales taxes.
Note 3. Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net
The Company recorded restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, as follows:
2024
2023
Employee termination charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
30.5
$
35.1
Impairment charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74.9
25.2
Transaction-related charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.6)
4.2
Integration costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
1.0
Other restructuring charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3.7)
12.0
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
101.5
$
77.5
The costs related to these activities have been recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as
restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net. See Note 19, “Segment Information,” for restructuring,
impairment and transaction-related charges, net by segment.
Restructuring Charges
The Company has a restructuring program related to eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly
aligning its cost structure. The Company classifies the following charges as restructuring:
•
Employee termination charges are incurred when the Company reduces its workforce through facility
consolidations and separation programs.
•
Integration costs are incurred primarily for the integration of acquired companies.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
78
•
Other restructuring charges (income) are presented net of the gain on the sale of the Saratoga Springs, New
York facility during the year ended December 31, 2024 and net of the gain on the sale of the Merced,
California facility during the year ended December 31, 2023. The components of other restructuring
charges (income) consisted of the following during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Vacant facility carrying costs and lease exit charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
14.2
$
16.6
Equipment and infrastructure removal costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
0.9
Gains on the sale of facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(20.5)
(9.2)
Other restructuring activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
3.7
Other restructuring charges (income) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(3.7) $
12.0
The restructuring charges recorded were based on plans that have been committed to by management and were,
in part, based upon management’s best estimates of future events. Changes to the estimates may require future
restructuring charges and adjustments to the restructuring liabilities. The Company expects to incur additional
restructuring charges related to these and other initiatives.
Impairment Charges
The Company recognized impairment charges of $74.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024,
which consisted of $57.6 million to reduce the carrying value of the European operations to its estimated fair value,
including $41.6 million for foreign currency translation adjustments and $16.0 million for property, plant and equipment,
$14.2 million for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, as
well as other capacity reduction activities, and $3.1 million for operating lease right-of-use assets. For more information
on the European operations assets classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
The Company recognized impairment charges of $25.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023,
which consisted of $17.5 million for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of
facility consolidations, as well as other capacity reduction activities, $4.1 million for software licensing and related
implementation costs from a terminated project and $3.6 million for operating lease right-of-use assets.
The fair values of the impaired assets were determined by the Company to be Level 3 under the fair value
hierarchy (see Note 13, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for the definition of Level 3 inputs) and
were estimated based on broker quotes, internal expertise related to current marketplace conditions, estimated future
discounted cash flows and active negotiations with third-parties. These assets were adjusted to their estimated fair values
at the time of impairment. If estimated fair values subsequently decline, the carrying values of the assets are adjusted
accordingly.
Transaction-Related Charges (Income)
The Company incurs transaction-related charges primarily consisting of professional service fees related to
business acquisition and divestiture activities, as well as adjustments to estimated acquisition consideration.
Transaction-related income of $0.6 million and transaction-related charges of $4.2 million were recorded during the
years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
79
Restructuring Reserves
Activity impacting the Company’s restructuring reserves for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was
as follows:
Employee
Termination
Charges
Impairment
Charges
Transaction-
Related
Charges
Integration
Costs
Other
Restructuring
Charges
Total
Balance at January 1, 2023 . . . $
2.9
$
—
$
1.5
$
—
$
5.2
$
9.6
Expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
35.1
25.2
4.2
1.0
12.0
77.5
Cash payments, net . . . . . .
(20.4)
—
(3.2)
(1.0)
(8.1)
(32.7)
Non-cash adjustments/
reclassifications . . . . . . . . .
—
(25.2)
—
—
2.7
(22.5)
Balance at December 31, 2023 $
17.6
$
—
$
2.5
$
—
$
11.8
$
31.9
Expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
30.5
74.9
(0.6)
0.4
(3.7)
101.5
Cash payments, net . . . . . .
(37.3)
—
(4.0)
(0.4)
1.3
(40.4)
Non-cash adjustments/
reclassifications . . . . . . . . .
—
(74.9)
3.6
—
40.4
(30.9)
Balance at December 31, 2024 $
10.8
$
—
$
1.5
$
—
$
49.8
$
62.1
The Company’s restructuring reserves at December 31, 2024, included a short-term and a long-term component.
The short-term portion included $53.9 million in other current liabilities (see Note 8, “Other Current and Long-Term
Liabilities” and Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale”) and $1.5 million in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheets
as the Company expects these reserves to be settled within the next twelve months. The long-term portion of
$6.7 million was included in other long-term liabilities (see Note 8, “Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities”) in the
consolidated balance sheets.
Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a
business combination. Goodwill is assigned to specific reporting units and is tested annually for impairment as of
October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair
value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.
The Company completed its annual impairment test as of October 31, 2024, and identified no indicators of
impairment in any of the Company's reporting units during the year ended December 31, 2024. Fair value was
determined using an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the
Company determined fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost
of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn.
Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value of the reporting units based on market multiples of
comparable publicly-traded companies. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value
hierarchy (see Note 13, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for the definition of Level 3 inputs).
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
80
No goodwill impairment charges were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023. The
accumulated goodwill impairment losses and the carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as
follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
United States
Print and Related
Services
International
Total
United States
Print and Related
Services
International
Total
Goodwill . . . . . . . $
878.6 $
30.0 $
908.6 $
881.3 $
30.0 $
911.3
Accumulated
goodwill
impairment loss . .
(778.3)
(30.0)
(808.3)
(778.3)
(30.0)
(808.3)
Goodwill, net of
accumulated
goodwill
impairment loss . . $
100.3 $
— $
100.3 $
103.0 $
— $
103.0
Activity impacting goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
United States
Print and Related
Services
International
Total
Balance at January 1, 2023
$
86.4 $
— $
86.4
DART acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16.6
—
16.6
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
103.0 $
— $
103.0
DART acquisition adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.7)
—
(2.7)
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
100.3 $
— $
100.3
In December 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of DART Innovation, an in-store digital media
solutions provider. The acquisition expanded and integrated into the Company’s suite of products and services, enabling
brands and marketers to more effectively reach consumers. As of December 31, 2023, the preliminary purchase price
included $16.6 million of goodwill. During 2024, the final valuation of the net assets acquired in the acquisition was
finalized and a $2.7 million reduction to goodwill was recorded.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
81
Other Intangible Assets
The components of other intangible assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks, patents, licenses and
agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
$
50.1
$
(47.6) $
2.5
$
65.4
$
(60.2) $
5.2
Capitalized software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
22.7
(18.9)
3.8
23.5
(19.6)
3.9
Acquired technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
4.6
(3.7)
0.9
3.6
(2.7)
0.9
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
545.1
(545.1)
—
553.7
(541.9)
11.8
Total finite-lived intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
622.5
$
(615.3) $
7.2
$
646.2
$
(624.4) $
21.8
Other intangible assets are evaluated for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that
the carrying value may not be recoverable. There were no impairment charges recorded on finite-lived intangible assets
for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $17.5 million and $27.9 million for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense
related to other intangible assets as of December 31, 2024:
Amortization Expense
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.6
2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.7
2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.7
2029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.2
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
7.2
Note 5. Receivables
Prior to granting credit, the Company evaluates each client in an underwriting process, taking into consideration
the prospective client’s financial condition, past payment experience, credit bureau information and other financial and
qualitative factors that may affect the client’s ability to pay. Specific credit reviews and standard industry credit scoring
models are used in performing this evaluation. Clients’ financial condition is continuously monitored as part of the
normal course of business. Some of the Company’s clients are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own
operating and regulatory risks.
Specific client provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information
about client creditworthiness, as well as current and future economic trends based on reasonable forecasts, indicates that
collection is doubtful. The Company also records a general provision based on the overall risk profile of the receivables
and through the assessment of reasonable economic forecasts. The risk profile is assessed on a quarterly basis using
various methods, including external resources and credit scoring models. Accounts that are deemed uncollectible are
written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
82
The Company has recorded credit loss expense of $1.6 million and $2.8 million during the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the
consolidated statements of operations.
Activity impacting the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as
follows:
2024
2023
Balance at January 1, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
25.7
$
26.4
Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
2.8
Write-offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.2)
(3.5)
Assets held for sale reclassification (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.4)
—
Translation and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.2)
—
Balance at December 31, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
21.5
$
25.7
______________________________
(1)
For more information on the assets classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
Note 6. Inventories
The components of inventories at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
2024
2023
Raw materials and manufacturing supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
87.5
$
102.7
Work in process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27.8
30.1
Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47.1
46.0
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
162.4
$
178.8
Note 7. Property, Plant and Equipment
The components of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
2024
2023
Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
57.1
$
65.8
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
547.6
638.7
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,279.1
2,728.0
Other (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
159.8
157.2
Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.8
34.6
Property, plant and equipment—gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,063.4
3,624.3
Less: accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2,563.7)
(3,003.7)
Property, plant and equipment—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
499.7
$
620.6
______________________________
(1)
Other consists of computer equipment and software, vehicles, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements and communication
related equipment.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
83
The Company recorded impairment charges of $30.2 million and $17.5 million during the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to reduce the carrying amounts of certain property, plant and equipment no
longer utilized in production, or due to other capacity reduction, to fair value, including $16.0 million related to the
expected sale of the European operations to reduce the carrying value to its estimated fair value during the year ended
December 31, 2024 (see Note 3, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net,” and Note 22,
“Assets Held for Sale,” for further discussion on impairment charges).
The Company recognized depreciation expense of $85.0 million and $100.9 million for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Note 8. Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities
The components of other current and long-term liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Other
Current
Liabilities
Other
Long-Term
Liabilities
Total
Other
Current
Liabilities
Other
Long-Term
Liabilities
Total
Employee-related liabilities (1)
. . $
110.3
$
38.2
$
148.5
$
118.1
$
42.2
$
160.3
Single employer pension plan
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.7
32.4
34.1
1.6
37.8
39.4
Multiemployer pension plans –
withdrawal liability . . . . . . . . . .
2.3
19.2
21.5
2.5
21.5
24.0
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . .
44.7
0.1
44.8
35.6
0.9
36.5
Tax-related liabilities . . . . . . . . .
14.7
9.1
23.8
19.6
10.3
29.9
Restructuring liabilities . . . . . . .
53.9
6.7
60.6
21.4
7.8
29.2
Interest and rent liabilities . . . . .
0.6
—
0.6
0.7
—
0.7
Interest rate swap liabilities . . . .
—
0.7
0.7
—
—
—
Liabilities held for sale (2) . . . . .
27.7
4.8
32.5
—
—
—
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33.3
24.2
57.5
38.1
28.1
66.2
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
289.2
$
135.4
$
424.6
$
237.6
$
148.6
$
386.2
______________________________
(1)
Employee-related liabilities consist primarily of payroll, bonus, vacation, health and workers’ compensation.
(2)
For more information on the liabilities classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company had firm commitments of $8.5 million as of December 31, 2024, to purchase press, finishing and
other equipment.
Litigation
The Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company in
the normal course of business. The liabilities, if any, which ultimately result from such lawsuits are not expected by
management to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
84
Environmental Reserves
The Company is subject to various laws, regulations and government policies relating to health and safety, to
the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous substances, and to environmental protection in general.
The Company provides for expenses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such amounts are
probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such reserves are adjusted as new information develops or as circumstances
change. The environmental reserves are not discounted. The Company believes it is in compliance with such laws,
regulations and government policies in all material respects. Furthermore, the Company does not anticipate that
maintaining compliance with such environmental statutes will have a material impact upon the Company’s consolidated
financial position.
Note 10. Debt
The weighted average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the components of long-term debt
at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
2024
2023
Term loan A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.78 % $
360.8
$
511.1
Revolving credit facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.79 %
—
—
Press Financing Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.72 %
23.6
—
Master note and security agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.17 %
—
2.5
International term loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.13 %
0.4
1.8
International revolving credit facilities (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.36 %
—
3.7
Debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7.7)
(4.9)
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
377.1
$
514.2
Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . .
(28.0)
(151.7)
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
349.1
$
362.5
______________________________
(1)
Excludes a $3.7 million international revolving credit facility that was classified as held for sale and included in other current
liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. For more information on the European
operations liabilities classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
Description of Debt Obligations
Senior Secured Credit Facility
On April 28, 2014, the Company entered into its Senior Secured Credit Facility, which included a revolving
credit facility, Term Loan A and Term Loan B (Term Loan B was retired in July 2019). The Company completed the
seventh amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on January 24, 2023, which transitioned the Company’s
reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR effective February 1, 2023. The Company elected the practical expedient outlined
in ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 which allowed the Company to prospectively adjust the effective interest rate after
the reference rate change. The transition from LIBOR to SOFR did not have a material impact on the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
85
The Company completed the eighth amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on January 4, 2024, which
added an additional $25.0 million principal value to the Term Loan A (under the Extended Maturity Date). On
January 31, 2024, the Company used liquidity available under its revolving credit facility and available cash on hand to
fund the repayment on maturity of $87.7 million aggregate principal amount, outstanding at the time, of its Term Loan
A. Additionally, due to a portion of the revolving credit facility maturing on January 31, 2024, the total capacity under
the revolving credit facility was reduced to $342.5 million as of this date.
The Company completed the ninth amendment to its Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Ninth Amendment”)
on October 18, 2024. The Senior Secured Credit Facility was amended to: (a) reduce the aggregate amount of the
existing revolving credit facility from $342.5 million to $324.6 million, and extend the maturity of a portion of the
revolving credit facility such that $17.7 million under the revolving credit facility will be due on the existing maturity
date of November 2, 2026 (the “Existing Maturity Date”) and $306.9 million under the revolving credit facility will be
due on October 18, 2029 (the “Extended Maturity Date”); (b) extend the maturity of a portion of the existing Term Loan
A such that $8.7 million of such term loan facility will be due on the Existing Maturity Date and $193.2 million will be
due on the Extended Maturity Date; (c) make certain adjustments to pricing, including an increase of 0.50% to the
interest rate margin applicable to the loans maturing on the Extended Maturity Date; and (d) modify certain financial and
operational covenants, including the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA) shall
not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 for any fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30, 2024, as well as the Total Leverage Ratio
(consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA) shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 for any fiscal quarter ending on
or after September 30, 2024.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A made under the Senior Secured Credit Facility
bear interest at 3.00% in excess of reserve adjusted SOFR, or 2.00% in excess of an alternate base rate with a SOFR floor
of 0.75% for the extended tranche and bear interest at 2.50% in excess of reserve adjusted SOFR, or 1.50% in excess of
an alternate base rate with a SOFR floor of 0.75% for the non-extending tranche.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and had
$25.7 million of issued letters of credit, leaving up to $298.9 million available for future borrowings. This is the most
restrictive liquidity measure currently applicable under the credit agreement. The Senior Secured Credit Facility is
secured by substantially all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also
requires the Company to provide additional collateral to the lenders in certain limited circumstances.
Press Financing Arrangements
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company entered into two press financing arrangements. The first
arrangement of $11.3 million bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.31%, maturing in 2028. The second arrangement of
$12.3 million bears interest at a current weighted average variable rate of 9.10%, maturing in 2031. Payments are made
monthly on both arrangements.
Master Note and Security Agreement
On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, the Company entered into its Master Note
and Security Agreement. On November 25, 2024, the Company used liquidity available under its revolving credit
facility and available cash on hand to fund the repayment of the total outstanding aggregate principal balance of $1.5
million, thus terminating the Master Note and Security Agreement. The notes were collateralized by certain United
States press equipment under the terms of the Master Note and Security Agreement.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
86
International Debt Obligations
The Company had one fixed rate, Euro denominated, international term loan for purposes of financing certain
capital expenditures and general business needs. The international term loan in the amount of $12.8 million was entered
into on December 21, 2018, at a 1.96% interest rate, with a term of five years, and matured on December 31, 2023. In
addition, as of December 31, 2024, there is $0.4 million outstanding on a term loan in Peru.
The Company has one multicurrency international revolving credit facility that is used for financing working
capital and general business needs for the Company’s European operations. The Company had $3.7 million of
borrowings outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 6.36% on the international revolving credit facility as of
December 31, 2024, leaving $10.8 million available for future borrowing. The multicurrency international revolving
credit facility is classified as held for sale and included in other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2024. For more information on the European operations liabilities classified as held for sale,
refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.” The terms of the international revolving credit facility include certain financial
covenants, a guarantee of the international revolving credit facility by the Company and a security agreement that
includes collateralizing substantially all of the Quad Europe Sp. z.o.o. assets. The multicurrency international revolving
credit facility will expire on February 28, 2025, and bears interest at the aggregate of WIBOR plus 1.40% for any Polish
Zloty denominated borrowings or the aggregate of EURIBOR plus 1.45% for any Euro denominated borrowings. The
Company held a second multicurrency international revolving credit facility until its expiration on October 31, 2024.
Fair Value of Debt
Based upon the interest rates available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities, the
fair value of the Company’s total debt was approximately $0.4 billion and $0.5 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively. The fair value determination of the Company’s total debt was categorized as Level 2 in the fair value
hierarchy (see Note 13, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for the definition of Level 2 inputs). As
of December 31, 2024, approximately $0.9 billion of the Company’s assets were pledged as security under various loans
and other agreements.
Debt Issuance Costs
The debt issuance costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the related debt instruments.
Activity impacting the Company’s capitalized debt issuance costs for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was
as follows:
Capitalized Debt
Issuance Costs
Balance at January 1, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
6.9
Amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.0)
Balance at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.9
Debt issuance costs from October 18, 2024 debt financing arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4
Amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.6)
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
7.7
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
87
Covenants and Compliance
The Company’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants (all financial terms, numbers
and ratios are as defined in the Company’s debt agreements). Among these covenants, the Company was required to
maintain the following as of December 31, 2024:
•
Total Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the Total Leverage Ratio, defined as consolidated
total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2024, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio was 1.68 to 1.00).
•
If there is any amount outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility or Term Loan A, or if any lender has
any revolving credit exposure or Term Loan A credit exposure, the Company is required to maintain the
following:
◦
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio. On a rolling four-quarter basis, the Senior Secured Leverage
Ratio, defined as the ratio of consolidated senior secured net indebtedness to consolidated
EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 for any fiscal quarter ending on or after September 30,
2024 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage
Ratio was 1.57 to 1.00).
◦
Interest Coverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the Interest Coverage Ratio, defined as
consolidated EBITDA to cash consolidated interest expense, shall not be less than 3.00 to 1.00 (for
the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s Interest Coverage Ratio was
4.18 to 1.00).
In addition to those covenants, the Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes certain limitations on
acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock.
•
If the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.75 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from
making greater than $60.0 million of dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other
payments, over the course of the agreement. If the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio is above 2.50 to 1.00
but below 2.75 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from making greater than $100.0 million of dividend
payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments, over the course of the agreement. If the
Total Leverage Ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions. As the Company’s Total
Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 1.68 to 1.00, the limitations described above are not
applicable at this time.
•
If the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or the Company’s Total Net
Leverage Ratio which, on a rolling twelve-month basis, is defined as consolidated net indebtedness to
consolidated EBITDA, is greater than 3.50 to 1.00, the Company is prohibited from voluntarily prepaying
any unsecured or subordinated indebtedness, with certain exceptions (including any mandatory
prepayments on any unsecured or subordinated debt). If the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is less than
3.00 to 1.00 and the Total Net Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions. The
limitations described above are currently not applicable, as the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio
was 1.57 to 1.00 and Total Net Leverage Ratio was 1.57 to 1.00, as of December 31, 2024.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
88
Estimated Principal Payments
The approximate annual principal amounts due on long-term debt, excluding $7.7 million for future
amortization of debt issuance costs, at December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Principal Payments (1)
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
28.1
2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45.3
2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40.9
2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40.0
2029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
228.2
2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
384.8
______________________________
(1)
Excludes $3.7 million of principal payments due on the international revolving credit facility that was classified as held for sale
as of December 31, 2024. For more information on the European operations liabilities classified as held for sale, refer to Note
22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
Note 11. Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The Company
recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date.
For operating and finance leases, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease
payments at the lease commencement date, and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest
method.
Key estimates and judgments include how the Company determines the discount rate, lease term and lease
payments.
•
ASC 842 requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease
or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company
cannot determine the implicit interest rate as it does not have access to the lessor’s estimated residual value
or the amount of the lessor’s deferred initial direct costs. Therefore, the Company generally uses its
incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the lease. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate
for a lease is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to
the lease payments under similar terms based on the published United States Treasury rates as well as the
Company’s credit rating at implementation or at the lease inception date.
•
The lease term for all of the Company’s leases includes the non-cancelable period of the lease, plus or
minus any additional periods covered by an option to extend or terminate the lease that the Company is
reasonably certain to exercise.
•
Lease payments included in the lease liability are comprised of fixed payments as well as any exercise price
of a Company option to purchase the underlying asset if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise.
The Company’s leases do not contain variable lease payments.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
89
ROU assets are initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for
lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred less any lease
incentives received. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently amortized by the straight-line lease expense
adjusted by the lease liability accretion over the lease term.
For finance leases, the ROU asset is subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis from the lease
commencement date to the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term. Amortization of the ROU
asset is recognized and presented separately from interest expense on the lease liability.
The Company’s ROU assets for both operating and finance leases are reviewed for impairment losses on a
quarterly basis in line with ASC 360-10 — Property, Plant, and Equipment — Overall. The Company recorded
impairment charges of $3.1 million and $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023,
respectively, to reduce the carrying value of certain ROU assets.
The Company also monitors its leases for events or changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of the
lease. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the
carrying amount of the ROU asset.
Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets—net, current portion of operating lease
obligations, and operating lease obligations in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property
and equipment—net, current portion of finance lease obligations, and finance lease obligations in the consolidated
balance sheets.
The Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have an
original lease term of twelve months or less. Therefore, the Company recognizes the lease payments associated with
these short-term leases as an expense over the lease term in the consolidated statement of operations.
Practical Expedients
The Company has elected to apply the following practical expedients allowed under Accounting Standards
Update 842:
•
The Company elected the practical expedient package and therefore did not reassess for any existing leases:
◦
whether contracts are or contain leases;
◦
the lease classification for any existing leases; and
◦
any initial direct costs.
•
The Company elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing to carry forward the
accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements.
•
The Company used “hindsight” judgments that impact the lease term.
•
The Company elected to combine lease and non-lease components into one lease component for select
underlying lease asset categories. Real estate leases are accounted for separately while all other leases,
primarily equipment leases, with separate lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single
lease component.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
90
Leases Financial Information
The Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, such as office space and manufacturing
facilities, as well as equipment leases, including press, finishing and transportation equipment. Many of these leases
provide the Company with options to renew, terminate, or in the case of equipment leases, purchase the related
equipment at the termination value, as defined, and at various early buyout dates during the term of the lease. In general,
the Company has determined these options were not reasonably certain to be exercised, and therefore are not included in
the determination of the lease term.
The following summarizes certain lease information for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Lease cost (1)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2.1
$
2.2
Interest on lease liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
0.4
Operating lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23.8
27.8
Short-term lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.5
0.3
Sublease income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.3)
(1.1)
Total lease cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
26.5
$
29.6
Other information (1)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from finance leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.4
$
0.4
Operating cash flows from operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26.3
28.4
Financing cash flows from finance leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.7
2.6
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities . . .
0.9
8.3
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities .
11.2
18.9
Weighted-average remaining lease term — finance leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 years
3.9 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term — operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 years
5.0 years
Weighted-average discount rate — finance leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.0 %
4.8 %
Weighted-average discount rate — operating leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 %
5.8 %
______________________________
(1)
Includes information related to leases classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2024. For more information on the assets
and liabilities classified as held for sale, refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale.”
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
91
The components of finance lease assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
2024
2023
Leased equipment—gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
11.8
$
29.6
Less: accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(9.8)
(20.9)
Leased equipment—net (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2.0
$
8.7
______________________________
(1)
Leased equipment - net totaling $5.4 million are classified as held for sale and are included in other long-term assets within the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further
information on the assets classified as held for sale. These balances are excluded from the table above.
Future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Future Maturities of
Operating Leases
Future Maturities of
Finance Leases
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
28.3
$
0.9
2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22.4
0.6
2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.7
0.5
2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.0
0.3
2029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.3
0.1
2030 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.7
—
Total minimum payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
96.4
2.4
Less: present value discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(11.0)
(0.3)
Present value of minimum payments (1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85.4
2.1
Less: current portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(24.0)
(0.8)
Long-term lease liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
61.4
$
1.3
______________________________
(1)
Current portion of finance lease obligations totaling $1.3 million and current portion of operating lease obligations totaling
$0.8 million are classified as held for sale and are included in other current liabilities within the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2024. Finance lease obligations totaling $3.0 million and operating lease obligations totaling
$0.8 million are classified as held for sale and are included in other long-term liabilities within the Company’s consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further information on the lease liabilities
classified as held for sale. These balances are excluded from the table above.
Note 12. Income Taxes
Income taxes have been based on the following components of loss before income taxes for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2024
2023
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(8.6) $
(65.8)
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(35.9)
23.2
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(44.5) $
(42.6)
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
92
The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, were as follows:
2024
2023
Federal:
Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2.9
$
(2.7)
Deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2.3)
(4.0)
State:
Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.8
0.4
Deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.1
(0.1)
Foreign:
Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.7
18.8
Deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.2
0.4
Total income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
6.4
$
12.8
The following table outlines the reconciliation of differences between the Federal statutory tax rate and the
Company’s income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2024
2023
Federal statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(9.3) $
(8.9)
Adjustment to valuation allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.5
4.7
Impairment on European operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.7
—
Adjustment of uncertain tax positions and audit assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5.9)
10.4
Adjustment of deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.8)
0.3
Executive compensation limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.7
2.3
Other permanent tax differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2
1.4
Impact from foreign branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.1)
0.6
Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.9)
(1.2)
State taxes, net of federal benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.9
0.3
Foreign rate differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.3
2.0
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.1
0.9
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
6.4
$
12.8
The $14.5 million adjustment to valuation allowance in 2024 primarily relates to adjusting reserves related to
deferred tax assets for interest limitation, credits and other deferred tax assets that are not expected to be realized in the
future for federal income tax purposes. The $4.7 million adjustment to valuation allowance in 2023 primarily relates to
adjusting reserves related to deferred tax assets for interest limitation, credits and other deferred tax assets that are not
expected to be realized in the future for federal income tax purposes. The $0.9 million effective rate reconciling item for
State taxes, net of federal benefit, in 2024 includes a $3.1 million adjustment for partial release of valuation allowance
reserves. The $0.3 million effective rate reconciling item for State taxes, net of federal benefit, in 2023 includes a
$3.1 million adjustment for partial release of valuation allowance reserves.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
93
Deferred Income Taxes
The significant deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
2024
2023
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and other tax carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
67.3
$
104.3
Goodwill and intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23.6
25.2
Pension and workers compensation benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.1
23.0
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.6
13.3
Research or experimental expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.3
12.6
Interest limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.9
11.3
Accrued compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.0
6.0
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3
5.8
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.7
6.5
Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
164.8
208.0
Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(97.9)
(121.4)
Net deferred tax assets (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
66.9
$
86.6
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(58.2) $
(73.5)
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4.8)
(5.8)
Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(63.0)
(79.3)
Net deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.9
$
7.3
______________________________
(1)
Deferred tax assets totaling $3.8 million are classified as held for sale and are included in other long-term assets within the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further
information on the assets classified as held for sale. These balances are excluded from the table above.
The Company has recorded deferred income tax liabilities of $3.2 million and $5.1 million as of December 31,
2024 and 2023, respectively, which were included in deferred income taxes in the consolidated balance sheets. The
Company has also recorded deferred income tax assets of $7.1 million and $12.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and
2023, respectively, which were included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had the following gross amounts of tax-related carryforwards:
•
Net operating loss carryforwards of $23.6 million and $471.5 million for foreign and state, respectively. Of
the foreign net operating loss carryforwards, $3.8 million is available without expiration, while the
remainder expires through 2044. Of the state net operating loss carryforwards, $70.0 million is available
without expiration, while the remainders expire through 2044.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
94
•
Various credit carryforwards of $4.4 million and $32.2 million for federal and state, respectively. The
federal carryforward expires through 2044 and the state credit carryforwards include $25.5 million that is
available without expiration, while the remainder expires through 2038. A foreign credit carryforward of
$30.0 million was classified as held for sale and is included in other long-term assets within the Company’s
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further
information on the assets classified as held for sale.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $97.9 million on its consolidated
balance sheet primarily related to the tax-affected amounts of the above carryforwards. The valuation allowance
includes $26.9 million, $7.8 million and $63.2 million of federal, foreign and state deferred tax assets, respectively, that
are not expected to be realized. The foreign valuation allowance excludes $32.9 million which was classified as held for
sale and is included in other long-term assets within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024.
Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further information on the assets classified as held for sale.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits at
December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2024
2023
Balance at January 1, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
16.7
$
11.1
Additions for tax positions of prior years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.2
6.1
Reductions for tax positions of prior years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(0.3)
Lapses of applicable statutes of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6.7)
(0.2)
Cumulative translation adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.3)
—
Balance at December 31, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
8.9
$
16.7
As of December 31, 2024, $4.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the Company’s effective tax
rate, if recognized. It is reasonably possible that $1.8 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will
decrease within the next twelve months due to resolution of income tax audits or statute expirations, of which
$0.2 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.
The Company classified interest expense and any related penalties related to income tax uncertainties as a
component of income tax expense. The following table summarizes the Company’s interest expense related to tax
uncertainties and penalties recognized during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2024
2023
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.2
$
3.3
Penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.4
1.6
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
95
Accrued interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties are reported as components of other current
liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the
Company’s liabilities for accrued interest and penalties, after the impact of translation adjustments, related to income tax
uncertainties at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Accrued
interest
Accrued
penalties
Accrued
interest
Accrued
penalties
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.9
1.7
3.4
1.6
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2.9
$
1.7
$
3.4
$
1.6
The Company has tax years from 2021 through 2024 that remain open and subject to examination by the
Internal Revenue Service. Tax years from 2020 through 2024 remain open and subject to examination in the Company’s
various major state jurisdictions within the United States. Tax years 2011 and 2016 through 2024 remain open and
subject to examination or litigation in the Company’s major foreign jurisdictions.
The Company’s practice and intention is to reinvest certain earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries in those
operations. The Company has analyzed its global working capital and cash requirements and the potential tax liabilities
attributable to repatriation of earnings, and has determined not to change its permanent reinvestment assertion. The
Company does not have significant prior year untaxed, undistributed earnings from its foreign operations at
December 31, 2024, and the Company does not provide for, nor expect to incur, any significant, additional taxes which
could become payable upon repatriation of such amounts.
Reform of International Taxation
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s reform of international taxation known as
Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules is effective for the Company in 2024. The Company continues to monitor
ongoing developments concerning this tax reform within applicable jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2024, the
Company qualifies for safe harbor provisions in jurisdictions with adopted Pillar 2 legislation, and did not record a tax
impact within its consolidated financial statements.
Note 13. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, while other assets and
liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or impairment charges.
Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an
exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:
Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or
similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are
observable for the asset or liability.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. There were no Level 3 recurring measurements of
assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
96
Interest Rate Swap
The Company currently holds one active interest rate swap contract. The purpose of entering into the contract
was to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of Quad’s variable-rate debt.
Active Interest Rate Swap
The active interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge as it effectively converts the notional value of
the Company’s variable rate debt based on one-month term SOFR to a fixed rate, including a spread on underlying debt,
and a monthly reset in the variable interest rate. The key terms of the active interest rate swap are as follows:
April 23, 2024
Interest Rate Swap
Effective date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
April 30, 2024
Termination date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
March 31, 2027
Term . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 years
Notional amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$50.0
Fixed swap rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.67%
The Company classifies interest rate swaps as Level 2 because the inputs into the valuation model are
observable or can be derived or corroborated utilizing observable market data at commonly quoted intervals. The fair
value of the active interest rate swap classified as Level 2 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
Balance Sheet Location
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Interest rate swap liabilities . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term liabilities
(0.7)
—
The active interest rate swap was highly effective as of December 31, 2024. No amount of ineffectiveness has
been recorded into earnings related to the active interest rate swap. The cash flows associated with the active interest
rate swap have been recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and the
changes in the fair value of the active interest rate swap has been included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the
consolidated statements of comprehensive loss:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Cash Flow Impacts
Net interest received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(0.1) $
—
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.7
$
—
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
97
Terminated Interest Rate Swap
The Company held a $130.0 million interest rate swap, effective on March 29, 2019, that terminated on
March 28, 2024. The terminated interest rate swap was previously designated as cash flow hedges as it effectively
converted the notional value of the Company’s variable rate debt based on one-month LIBOR to a fixed rate, including a
spread on underlying debt, and a monthly reset in the variable interest rate. However, the Company amended its Senior
Secured Credit Facility during the second quarter of 2020, which added a 0.75% LIBOR floor to the Company’s variable
rate debt, changing the critical terms of the hedged instrument. Due to this change in critical terms, the Company had
elected to de-designate the swap as a cash flow hedge, resulting in future changes in fair value being recognized in
interest expense. The balance of the accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to the interest rate swap as of
June 30, 2020 was then amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the swap contract.
Due to the Company’s transition from LIBOR to SOFR during the first quarter of 2023, the interest rate swap’s fixed
swap rate was amended to be based on one-month term SOFR.
The fair value of the terminated interest rate swap classified as Level 2 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, was
as follows:
Balance Sheet Location
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Interest rate swap asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
—
$
0.9
Prior to the Company’s de-designation of the terminated interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge, the interest rate
swap was considered highly effective, with no amount of ineffectiveness recorded into earnings. The change in the fair
value of the interest rate swap is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense in the consolidated statements of
operations. The cash flows associated with the terminated interest rate swap have been recognized as an adjustment to
interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Cash Flow Impacts
Net interest received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(1.0) $
(3.4)
Impacts with Swaps as Nonhedging Instruments
Loss recognized in interest expense excluded from hedge effectiveness assessments . . . . . . . $
0.9
$
2.9
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense . . . . .
0.6
2.7
Net interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.0)
(3.4)
Total impact of swaps to interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.5
$
2.2
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
98
Interest Rate Collars
The Company has entered into two interest rate collar contracts, both effective February 1, 2023. The purpose
of entering into the contracts is to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of
Quad’s variable-rate debt. The interest rate collars will be designated as cash flow hedges as they effectively convert the
notional value of the Company’s variable rate debt based on one-month term SOFR to a fixed rate if that month’s interest
rate is outside of the collars’ floor and ceiling rates, including a spread on underlying debt, and a monthly reset in the
variable interest rate. The key terms of the interest rate collars are as follows:
December 12, 2022
Interest Rate Collar
December 14, 2022
Interest Rate Collar
Effective date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
February 1, 2023
February 1, 2023
Termination date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
October 30, 2026
October 31, 2025
Term . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45 Months
33 Months
Notional amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$75.0
$75.0
Floor Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.09%
2.25%
Ceiling Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.00%
5.00%
The Company classifies interest rate collars as Level 2 because the inputs into the valuation model are
observable or can be derived or corroborated utilizing observable market data at commonly quoted intervals. The fair
value of the interest rate collars classified as Level 2 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Balance Sheet Location
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Interest rate collar assets . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
0.1
$
—
Interest rate collar liabilities . .
Other long-term liabilities
—
(0.2)
The interest rate collars were highly effective as of December 31, 2024. No amount of ineffectiveness has been
recorded into earnings related to these cash flow hedges. The cash flows associated with the interest rate collars have
been recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and the changes in the
fair value of the interest rate collars have been included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated
statements of comprehensive loss:
Year Ended December 31,
2024
2023
Net interest received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(0.4) $
(0.2)
Gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(0.2) $
(0.2)
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company has operations in countries that have transactions outside their functional currencies and
periodically enters into foreign exchange contracts. These contracts are used to hedge the net exposures of changes in
foreign currency exchange rates and are designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. Gains or losses on
net foreign currency hedges are intended to offset losses or gains on the underlying net exposures in an effort to reduce
the earnings volatility resulting from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. As of December 31, 2024, there were
no open foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
99
Natural Gas Forward Contracts
The Company periodically enters into natural gas forward purchase contracts to hedge against increases in
commodity costs. The Company’s commodity contracts qualified for the exception related to normal purchases and sales
during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, as the Company takes delivery in the normal course of business.
Debt
The Company measures fair value on its debt instruments using interest rates available to the Company for
borrowings with similar terms and maturities and is categorized as Level 2. See Note 10, “Debt,” for the fair value of the
Company’s debt as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Other Estimated Fair Value Measurements
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required
to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or the
remeasurement of assets that may result in impairment charges, which are categorized as Level 3. See Note 3,
“Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net”; Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”;
Note 7, “Property, Plant and Equipment”; Note 11, “Leases”; and Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further discussion
on fair value remeasurements. See Note 3, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net” and Note
22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for impairment charges recorded as a result of the remeasurement of certain long-lived assets.
The Company records the fair value of its forward contracts and pension plan assets on a recurring basis. The
fair value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, accounts payable and other current liabilities
approximate their carrying values as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. See Note 14, “Employee Retirement Plans,” for
the details of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs related to employee retirement plans.
Note 14. Employee Retirement Plans
Defined Contribution Plans
The Quad/Graphics, Inc. Diversified Plan is comprised of participant-directed 401(k) contributions, Company
match and profit sharing contributions, with total participant assets of $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2024. Company
401(k) matching contributions were $13.9 million and $16.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively. The Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan holds profit sharing contributions of Company stock,
which are made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. There were no profit sharing contributions for
the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Defined Benefit Plans
The Company assumed various funded and unfunded frozen pension plans for a portion of its full-time
employees in the United States as part of the acquisition of World Color Press in 2010. Benefits are generally based
upon years of service and compensation. These plans are funded in conformity with the applicable government
regulations. The Company funds at least the minimum amount required for all qualified plans using actuarial cost
methods and assumptions acceptable under government regulations.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
100
The components of net pension income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Pension Benefits
2024
2023
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(16.4) $
(17.6)
Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.2
19.9
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1.0)
(0.6)
Net pension income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.8
$
1.7
The Company made $1.7 million in contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension plans and $0.4 million
in benefit payments to its non-qualified defined benefit pension plans during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The underfunded pension obligations are calculated using generally accepted actuarial methods and are
measured annually as of December 31. The following table provides a reconciliation of the projected benefit obligation,
fair value of plan assets and the underfunded status of the pension plans as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Pension Benefits
2024
2023
Changes in benefit obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(342.7) $
(349.3)
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(16.4)
(17.6)
Actuarial gain (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.0
(12.4)
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32.5
36.6
Projected benefit obligation, end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(312.6)
(342.7)
Changes in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
303.3
313.0
Actual gain on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.6
26.2
Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1
0.7
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(32.5)
(36.6)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
278.5
303.3
Underfunded status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(34.1) $
(39.4)
The underfunded defined benefit plan obligations decreased by $5.3 million during the year ended
December 31, 2024. This decrease in the underfunded status was primarily due to a decrease in overall pension
obligations of $30.1 million from $32.5 million in benefits paid and $14.0 million from an actuarial gain, offset by a
$16.4 million increase in interest cost due to a 44 basis point increase in the pension discount rate from 5.11% at
December 31, 2023, to 5.55% at December 31, 2024. This decrease in pension obligations was partially offset by an
overall decrease of $24.8 million in pension plan assets from $32.5 million in benefits paid, offset by an actual gain on
pension plan assets of $5.6 million, or 2.99%, during the year ended December 31, 2024, which was below the expected
long-term return on plan assets assumption of 6.30%, and employer contributions of $2.1 million.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
101
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Pension Benefits
2024
2023
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(1.7) $
(1.6)
Noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(32.4)
(37.8)
Total amount recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(34.1) $
(39.4)
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss prior to
any deferred tax effects at December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Actuarial Gain /
(Loss), net
Balance at January 1, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(47.6)
Amount arising during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6.0)
Amortization included in net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.6
Balance at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(53.0)
Amount arising during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
Amortization included in net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.7)
During 2023, the Company provided the option to receive a lump-sum pension payment to a select group of in-
service and terminated vested participants. Total lump sum payments of $8.0 million were paid during 2023, of which
$2.0 million was paid under the lump-sum program and $1.4 million was paid under the in-service withdrawal program
in December 2023. Payments to eligible participants who elected to receive a lump-sum pension payment were funded
from existing pension plan assets and constituted a settlement of the Company’s pension liabilities with respect to these
participants. There were no special lump sum pension options offered in 2024.
Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-
related value of plan assets are recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs over the average remaining life
expectancy of all participants. Unrecognized prior service costs or credits are also recognized as a component of net
periodic benefit cost over the average remaining life expectancy of all participants.
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Pension Benefits
2024
2023
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.11 %
5.46 %
Expected long-term return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.30 %
6.75 %
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
102
The weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligations at December 31, 2024 and
2023, were as follows:
Pension Benefits
2024
2023
Discount rate (end of year rate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.55 %
5.11 %
The Company determines its assumed discount rate based on an index of high-quality corporate bond yields and
matched-funding yield curve analysis as of the measurement date.
Estimated Company Contributions and Benefit Payments
In 2025, the Company does not expect to make any cash contributions to its qualified defined benefit pension
plans and expects to make estimated benefit payments of $1.7 million to its non-qualified defined benefit pension plans.
The actual pension contributions may differ based on the funding calculations, and the Company may choose to make
additional discretionary contributions. The estimated benefit payments may differ based on actual experience.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments by the Plans to or on Behalf of Plan Participants
An estimate of the Plans’ present value of future benefit payments to be made from funded qualified plans and
unfunded non-qualified plans to plan participants at December 31, 2024, were as follows:
Future Pension
Benefit Payments
2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
37.9
2026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30.8
2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29.9
2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.7
2029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27.8
2030 - 2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120.4
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37.1
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
312.6
Plan Assets and Investment Strategy
The Company follows a disciplined investment strategy, which provides diversification of investments by asset
class, foreign currency, sector and company. The Pension Committee has an approved investment policy for the pension
plan that establishes long-term asset mix targets based on several factors including the following: the funded status,
historical returns achieved by worldwide investment markets, the time horizon of the pension plan’s obligations, and the
investment risk. An allocation range by asset class is developed whereby a mix of equity securities and debt securities
are used to provide an appropriate risk-adjusted long-term return on plan assets. Third-party investment managers are
employed to invest assets in both passively-indexed and actively-managed strategies and investment returns and risks are
monitored on an ongoing basis. Derivatives are used at certain times to hedge foreign currency exposure. Gains or
losses on the derivatives are offset by a corresponding change in the value of the hedged assets. Derivatives are strictly
used for hedging purposes and not speculative purposes.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
103
The current target allocations for plan assets on a weighted average basis are 25% equity securities and
75% debt securities, including cash and cash equivalents. The actual asset allocation as of December 31, 2024, was
approximately 22% equity securities and 78% debt securities, and as of December 31, 2023, was approximately 21%
equity securities and 79% debt securities. Equity investments are diversified by country, issuer and industry sector.
Debt securities primarily consist of government bonds and corporate bonds from diversified industries.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is selected by first identifying the expected range of
long-term rates of return for each major asset class. Expected long-term rates of return are developed based on long-term
historical averages, current expectations of future returns, anticipated inflation rates and active investment management
of the portfolio. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is then calculated by weighting each asset class.
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, by asset category were as
follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Asset Category
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . .
$
0.7
$
0.7
$
—
$
—
$
0.5
$
0.5
$
—
$
—
Debt securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68.5
—
68.5
—
75.4
—
75.4
—
Equity securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.8
—
10.8
—
11.4
—
11.4
—
Total pension plan assets,
excluding those measured at net
asset value (“NAV”) . . . . . . . . . .
80.0
$
0.7
$
79.3
$
—
87.3
$
0.5
$
86.8
$
—
Investments measured at NAV (1)
. .
198.5
216.0
Total pension plan assets . . . . . . . .
$ 278.5
$ 303.3
______________________________
(1)
These investments consist of privately placed funds that are valued based on NAV. NAV of the funds is based on the fair value
of each fund’s underlying investments. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair
value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
There were no Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. See Note 13, “ Financial Instruments and Fair
Value Measurements,” for definitions of fair value levels.
The Company segregated its plan assets by the following major categories and levels for determining their fair
value as of December 31, 2024:
Cash and cash equivalents. Carrying value approximates fair value and these assets are classified as Level 1.
Debt Securities. This category consists of bonds, short-term fixed income securities and fixed income pooled
funds fair valued based on a compilation of primarily observable market information or broker quotes in over-
the-counter markets and are classified as Level 2.
Equity Securities. This category consists of equity pooled funds that are classified as Level 2 in the fair value
hierarchy. Level 2 assets are valued using quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker dealer quotations,
and other methods by which all significant input was observable at the measurement date.
The valuation methodologies described above may generate a fair value calculation that may not be indicative
of net realizable value or future fair values. While the Company believes the valuation methodologies used are
appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions in calculating fair value could result in different amounts.
The Company invests in various assets in which valuation is determined by NAV. The Company believes that NAV is
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
104
representative of fair value at the reporting date, as there are no significant restrictions on redemption on these
investments or other reasons to indicate that the investment would be redeemed at an amount different than NAV.
The fair value measurements in common/collective trusts, calculated using a NAV and their redemption
restrictions, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, are as follows:
Fair Value
Redemption
Frequency (If
Currently Eligible)
Redemption
Notice Period
2024
2023
JP Morgan Chase Bank Strategic Property Fund . . $
7.9
$
9.7
Quarterly
30 days
Pyramis Long Corporate A or Better . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.5
24.0
Daily
15 days
Pyramis Long Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.7
12.2
Daily
15 days
Pyramis 810 Corporate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
115.5
123.5
Daily
15 days
Russell 3000 Index NL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41.8
42.7
Daily
1 day
NT Collective Short Term Investment Fund . . . . . .
3.1
3.9
Daily
1 day
Total value of investments measured at NAV . . . . . $
198.5
$
216.0
Risk Management
For all directly invested funds, the concentration risk is monitored through specific guidelines in the investment
manager mandates. The investment manager mandates were developed by the Company’s external investment advisor,
and specify diversification standards such as the maximum exposure per issuer, and concentration limits per type of
security, industry and country when applicable.
For the investments made through pooled funds, the investment mandates of the funds were again reviewed by
the Company’s external investment advisor, to determine that the investment objectives and guidelines were consistent
with the Company’s overall pension plan risk management objectives. In managing the plan assets, management
reviews and manages risk associated with funded status risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity
risk and operational risk. Liability management and asset class diversification are central to the Company’s risk
management approach and are integral to the overall investment strategy.
Given the process in place to ensure a proper diversification of the portfolio, management believes that the
Company pension plan assets are not exposed to significant concentration risk.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
The Company has previously participated in a number of MEPPs under terms of collective bargaining
agreements that cover a number of its employees. The risks of participating in these MEPPs are different from single
employer plans in the following aspects:
•
Assets contributed to the MEPPs by one company may be used to provide benefits to employees of other
participating companies.
•
If a participating company stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne
by the remaining participating companies.
•
If the Company stops participating in some or all of its MEPPs, and continues in business, the Company
would be required to pay an amount, referred to as a withdrawal liability, based on the unfunded status of
the plan.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
105
The Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced these union sponsored “promise to pay
in the future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored “pay as you go” defined contribution plan. The two
MEPPs, the GCIU and GCC, are significantly underfunded, and will require the Company to pay a withdrawal liability
to fund its pro rata share of the underfunding as of the plan year the full withdrawal was completed. As a result of the
decision to withdraw, the Company accrued the estimated withdrawal liability based on information provided by each
plan’s trustee.
The GCIU Plan is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement benefits, total and permanent disability
benefits, and pre-retirement death benefits for the former participating union employees of the Company. The funded
status of the GCIU Plan is classified as critical and declining based on the GCIU Plan’s 2022 certification to the United
States Department of Labor, as the plan is projected to become insolvent within 20 years. As of January 1, 2022, the
plan was projected to be insolvent in 2033. As a result, the GCIU Plan implemented a rehabilitation plan to improve the
plan’s funded status. In 2019, the Company and the GCIU reached a settlement agreement for all claims, with scheduled
payments until April 2032.
The GCC Plan is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement benefits, disability benefits, and early
retirement benefits for the former participating union employees of the Company. The funded status of the GCC Plan is
classified as critical based on the GCC Plan’s 2024 certification to the Internal Revenue Service, and has operated under
a Rehabilitation Plan for fifteen years. At the time of the certification, the GCC Plan had sufficient assets to meet its
monthly obligations. The Company made its final payment to the GCC in February 2024.
The Company made payments totaling $4.3 million and $6.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024
and 2023, respectively. The Company has reserved $21.5 million as the total MEPPs withdrawal liability as of
December 31, 2024, of which $19.2 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities and $2.3 million was recorded in
other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Note 15. Loss Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed as net earnings (loss) divided by the basic weighted average
common shares outstanding. The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share includes the effect of any dilutive equity
incentive instruments. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding dilutive equity
incentive instruments, which requires the Company to compute total proceeds as the sum of the amount the employee
must pay upon exercise of the award and the amount of unearned stock-based compensation costs attributable to future
services.
Equity incentive instruments for which the total employee proceeds from exercise exceed the average fair value
of the same equity incentive instrument over the period have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share during periods
with net earnings, and accordingly, the Company excludes them from the calculation. Due to the net loss incurred during
the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the assumed exercise of all equity incentive instruments were anti-dilutive
and therefore, not included in the diluted loss per share calculation.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
106
Reconciliations of the numerator and the denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the
Company’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, are summarized as follows:
2024
2023
Numerator:
Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(50.9) $
(55.4)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all classes of common stock
47.6
48.4
Plus: effect of dilutive equity incentive instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all classes of common
shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47.6
48.4
Loss per share:
Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(1.07) $
(1.14)
Cash dividends paid per common share for all classes of common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.20
$
—
Note 16. Equity Incentive Programs
The shareholders of the Company approved the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020
Plan”) at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on May 18, 2020, for two complementary purposes: (1) to
attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as directors, officers and employees; and (2) to increase shareholder
value. The Company’s previous plan, the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Plan (the “2010 Plan”), was terminated on
the date of approval of the 2020 Plan, and no new awards will be granted under the 2010 Plan. All awards that were
granted under the 2010 Plan that were outstanding as of May 18, 2020, will remain outstanding and will continue to be
governed by the 2010 Plan.
The 2020 Plan provides for an aggregate 6,000,000 shares of class A common stock reserved for issuance, plus
shares still available for issuance or re-credited under the 2010 Plan. Awards under the 2020 Plan may consist of
incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance share units, shares of class A
common stock, restricted stock (“RS”), restricted stock units (“RSU”), deferred stock units (“DSU”) or other stock-based
awards as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Each stock option granted has an exercise price of no less
than 100% of the fair market value of the class A common stock on the date of grant. There were 1,156,351 shares of
class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan as of December 31, 2024. Authorized unissued shares
or treasury shares may be used for issuance under the Company’s equity incentive programs. The Company plans to
either use treasury shares of its class A common stock or issue shares of class A common stock to meet the stock
requirements of its awards in the future.
The Company recognizes compensation expense based on estimated grant date fair values for all share-based
awards issued to employees and non-employee directors, including stock options, performance shares, performance share
units, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units. The Company recognizes these compensation costs
for only those awards expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite approximate three year service period of
the awards, except DSU awards, which are fully vested and expensed on the grant date. The Company estimated the
number of awards expected to vest based, in part, on historical forfeiture rates and also based on management’s
expectations of employee turnover within the specific employee groups receiving each type of award. Forfeitures are
estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeitures differ from those
estimates.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
107
Equity Incentive Compensation Expense
Equity incentive compensation expense was recorded primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses
in the consolidated statements of operations and includes expense recognized for liability awards that are remeasured on
a quarterly basis. The total compensation expense recognized related to all equity incentive programs for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2024
2023
RS and RSU equity awards expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
6.2
$
4.3
DSU awards expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1
1.3
Total equity incentive compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
7.3
$
5.6
Total future compensation expense related to all equity incentive programs granted as of December 31, 2024,
was estimated to be $7.3 million, which consists entirely of expense for RS and RSU awards. Estimated future
compensation expense is $4.5 million for 2025, $2.5 million for 2026 and $0.3 million for 2027.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards consist of shares or the rights to shares of the Company’s
class A stock which are awarded to employees of the Company. The awards are restricted such that they are subject to
substantial risk of forfeiture and to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the employee. RSU awards are typically
granted to eligible employees outside of the United States. As defined in the individual grant agreements, acceleration of
vesting may occur under a change in control, death, disability or normal retirement of the grantee. Grantees receiving
RS grants are able to exercise full voting rights and receive full credit for dividends during the vesting period. All such
dividends will be paid to the RS grantee within 45 days of full vesting. Grantees receiving RSUs are not entitled to vote
but do earn dividends. Upon vesting, RSUs will be settled either through cash payment equal to the fair market value of
the RSUs on the vesting date or through issuance of Company class A stock. In general, RS and RSU awards will vest
on the third anniversary of the grant date, provided the holder of the share is continuously employed by the Company
until the vesting date.
The following table is a summary of RS and RSU award activity for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Restricted Stock
Restricted Stock Units
Shares
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Units
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Nonvested at December 31, 2023 . 3,990,018
$
4.01
1.4
147,980
$
4.00
1.4
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,307,359
5.42
44,888
5.42
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(869,360)
3.89
(27,087)
3.79
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(163,610)
4.23
(17,828)
4.06
Nonvested at December 31, 2024 . 4,264,407
$
4.45
1.1
147,953
$
4.46
1.1
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
108
In general, RS and RSU awards will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, provided the holder of the
share is continuously employed by the Company until the vesting date. Compensation expense recognized for RS and
RSUs classified as equity was $6.2 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,
respectively.
Deferred Stock Units
Deferred stock units are awards of rights to shares of the Company’s class A stock and are awarded to non-
employee directors of the Company. The following table is a summary of DSU award activity for the year ended
December 31, 2024:
Deferred Stock Units
Units
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Share
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
865,267
$
6.30
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
225,000
5.01
Dividend equivalents granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35,976
5.96
Settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(89,156)
6.69
Outstanding at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,037,087
$
5.95
Each DSU award entitles the grantee to receive one share of class A stock upon the earlier of the separation date
of the grantee or the second anniversary of the grant date, but could be subject to acceleration for a change in control,
death or disability as defined in the individual DSU grant agreement. Grantees of DSU awards may not exercise voting
rights, but are credited with dividend equivalents and those dividend equivalents will be converted into additional DSU
awards based on the closing price of the class A stock. Compensation expense recognized for DSUs was $1.1 million
and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As DSU awards are fully vested on the
grant date, all compensation expense was recognized at the date of grant.
Note 17. Shareholders’ Equity
The Company has three classes of common stock as follows (share data in millions):
Issued Common Stock
Authorized
Shares
Outstanding
Treasury
Total Issued
Shares
Class A stock ($0.025 par value) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
105.0
38.8
3.7
42.5
December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
105.0
37.4
5.1
42.5
Class B stock ($0.025 par value) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80.0
13.3
—
13.3
December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80.0
13.6
—
13.6
Class C stock ($0.025 par value) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.0
—
0.5
0.5
December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.0
—
0.5
0.5
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
109
In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, each class A common share has one vote per share and each
class B and class C common share has ten votes per share on all matters voted upon by the Company’s shareholders.
Liquidation rights are the same for all three classes of stock.
The Company also has 0.5 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock authorized, of which none were
issued at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company has no present plans to issue any preferred stock.
On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to
$100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding class A common stock. Under the authorization, share repurchases may be
made at the Company’s discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as
permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any
repurchase will depend on economic and market conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements
and other factors. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. There were no share repurchases during
the year ended December 31, 2024. The following repurchases occurred during the year ended December 31, 2023:
2023
Shares of Class A common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,852,501
Weighted average price per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4.40
Total repurchases during the period (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
12.6
As of December 31, 2024, there were $77.5 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the program.
In March 2024, 294,875 shares of class B common stock were converted to class A common stock, and the
class B common shares were canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares.
In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, dividends are paid equally for all three classes of common
shares. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors proactively suspended the
Company’s quarterly dividends. On February 15, 2024, the Board of Directors reinstated the Company’s quarterly
dividends.
The dividend activity related to the then outstanding shares for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:
Declaration Date
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend Amount
per Share
2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Q4 Dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
October 21, 2024
November 18, 2024
December 6, 2024
$
0.05
Q3 Dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
July 22, 2024
August 19, 2024
September 6, 2024
$
0.05
Q2 Dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
April 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
June 7, 2024
$
0.05
Q1 Dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
February 16, 2024
February 27, 2024
March 12, 2024
$
0.05
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
110
Note 18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Translation
Adjustments
Interest Rate
Derivative
Adjustments
Pension
Benefit Plan
Adjustments
Total
Balance at January 1, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(88.6) $
(4.1) $
(35.6) $
(128.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.1
(0.2)
(4.4)
8.5
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive loss to net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
2.2
—
2.2
Net other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.1
2.0
(4.4)
10.7
Balance at December 31, 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(75.5)
(2.1)
(40.0)
(117.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(15.5)
(0.5)
1.8
(14.2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive loss to net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
0.6
—
0.6
Net other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(15.5)
0.1
1.8
(13.6)
Balance at December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(91.0) $
(2.0) $
(38.2) $
(131.2)
The details about the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net loss for the years
ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss Components
Year Ended December 31,
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Presentation
2024
2023
Amortization of amounts accumulated for interest rate
swaps de-designated as cash flow hedges . . . . . . . . . . .
$
0.6
$
2.7
Interest expense
Impact of income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(0.5) Income tax expense
Amortization of amounts accumulated for interest rate
swaps de-designated as cash flow hedges, net of tax . . .
0.6
2.2
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
$
0.6
$
2.2
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
111
Note 19. Segment Information
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements
to Reportable Segment Disclosures” during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s operating and
reportable segments are aligned with how the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) of the Company (the
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer) currently manages the business. On a monthly basis, the CODM
receives discrete financial information, including operating income (loss), for the United States Print and Related
Services and International segments, as well as for the Corporate non-operating segment. This information is used to
make resource allocation decisions for the entire Company. Intercompany transactions, including sales between the
Company’s operating and reportable segments, have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company’s operating and reportable segments, including their product and service offerings, and a
“Corporate” category are as follows:
•
United States Print and Related Services
•
International
•
Corporate
United States Print and Related Services
The United States Print and Related Services segment is predominantly comprised of the Company’s United
States printing operations, managed as one integrated platform, and marketing and other complementary services. The
printing operations include print execution and logistics for retail inserts, catalogs, long-run publications, special interest
publications, journals, direct mail, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print
products, as well as other commercial and specialty printed products, along with global paper procurement and the
manufacture of ink. Marketing and other complementary services include data intelligence and analytics, technology
solutions, media planning, placement and optimization, creative strategy and content creation, as well as execution in
non-print channels (e.g., digital and broadcast). This segment also includes medical services.
International
The International segment consists of the Company’s printing operations in Europe and Latin America,
including operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. This segment provides printed
products and marketing and other complementary services consistent with the United States Print and Related Services
segment.
Corporate
Corporate consists of unallocated general and administrative activities and associated expenses including, in
part, executive, legal and finance, as well as certain expenses and income from frozen employee retirement plans, such as
pension benefit plans.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
112
The following tables provide segment information for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
United States
Print and Related
Services
International
Corporate
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,775.0
$
324.2
$
—
$
2,099.2
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
554.5
18.5
—
573.0
Total net sales
2,329.5
342.7
—
2,672.2
Less (1):
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,820.3
$
271.9
$
—
$
2,092.2
Selling, general and administrative
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
263.1
42.8
50.9
356.8
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . .
90.5
11.8
0.2
102.5
Restructuring, impairment and
transaction-related charges, net . . . . . . .
42.8
61.9
(3.2)
101.5
Operating income (loss)
$
112.8
$
(45.7) $
(47.9) $
19.2
Capital expenditures by segment
$
46.8
$
10.4
$
—
$
57.2
Total assets by segment
$
1,052.8
$
214.9
$
31.3
$
1,299.0
______________________________
(1)
The significant expense categories and amounts align with the segment-level information regularly provided to the CODM.
United States
Print and Related
Services
International
Corporate
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,949.7
$
384.4
$
—
$
2,334.1
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
604.6
19.0
—
623.6
Total net sales
2,554.3
403.4
—
2,957.7
Less (1):
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2,067.6
$
313.6
$
—
$
2,381.2
Selling, general and administrative
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
250.1
47.1
47.3
344.5
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . .
113.7
14.8
0.3
128.8
Restructuring, impairment and
transaction-related charges, net . . . . . . .
66.3
9.6
1.6
77.5
Operating income (loss)
$
56.6
$
18.3
$
(49.2) $
25.7
Capital expenditures by segment
$
57.6
$
13.2
$
—
$
70.8
Total assets by segment
$
1,191.2
$
271.1
$
47.4
$
1,509.7
______________________________
(1)
The significant expense categories and amounts align with the segment-level information regularly provided to the CODM.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
113
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net for the years ended December 31, 2024 and
2023, are further described in Note 3, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges, Net.”
A reconciliation of operating income to loss before income taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of
operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
2024
2023
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
19.2
$
25.7
Less: interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64.5
70.0
Less: net pension income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.8)
(1.7)
Loss before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(44.5) $
(42.6)
Note 20. Geographic Area Information
The table below presents the Company’s net sales and long-lived assets as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2024 and 2023, by geographic region. The amounts in this table differ from the segment data presented in
Note 19, “Segment Information,” because each operating segment includes operations in multiple geographic regions,
based on the Company’s management reporting structure.
United States
Europe
Latin America
Other
Combined
2024
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,729.7
$
134.4
$
227.1
$
8.0
$
2,099.2
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
554.5
18.5
—
—
573.0
Property, plant and equipment—net (1)
445.4
—
46.8
7.5
499.7
Operating lease right-of-use assets—
net (2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
71.9
—
1.3
5.7
78.9
Other intangible assets—net . . . . . . . .
7.2
—
—
—
7.2
Other long-term assets (3) . . . . . . . . . .
42.5
28.4
7.1
0.6
78.6
2023
Net sales
Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,902.3
$
160.2
$
263.6
$
8.0
$
2,334.1
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
604.6
19.0
—
—
623.6
Property, plant and equipment—net . .
505.6
46.2
59.4
9.4
620.6
Operating lease right-of-use assets—
net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85.6
2.5
2.1
6.4
96.6
Other intangible assets—net . . . . . . . .
20.9
0.1
0.8
—
21.8
Other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . .
66.1
7.2
6.2
0.5
80.0
______________________________
(1)
Property, plant and equipment - net held within the Europe geographic region totaling $22.1 million are classified as held for sale
and are included in other long-term assets within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer to
Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further information on the European operations classified as held for sale.
(2)
Operating lease right-of-use assets - net held within the Europe geographic region totaling $1.6 million are classified as held for
sale and are included in other long-term assets within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. Refer
to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further information on the European operations classified as held for sale.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
114
(3)
Other long-term assets held within the Europe geographic region include $22.1 million of property, plant and equipment, $1.6
million of operating lease right-of-use assets and $3.9 million of other long-term assets classified as held for sale as of
December 31, 2024. Refer to Note 22, “Assets Held for Sale,” for further information on the European operations classified as
held for sale.
Note 21. Strategic Investments
Sale of Manipal Technologies Limited Strategic Partnership
On March 28, 2012, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with India-based Manipal Technologies
Limited (“ManipalTech”) whereby Quad paid $18.1 million for a minority equity ownership interest in ManipalTech.
The Company’s investment in ManipalTech was accounted for as a cost method investment until its sale. On April 16,
2024, Quad sold its ownership interest back to the majority owners of ManipalTech for total proceeds of $22.2 million
and a realized gain of $4.1 million.
Note 22. Assets Held for Sale
Effective during the third quarter of 2024, the Company, having the authority to approve the action, committed
to a plan to sell its European operations as part of an ongoing strategic focus to optimize its business portfolio for growth
as an MX company. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2024, the Company has classified its European operations as held
for sale, as required by ASC 360-10 – “Long Lived Assets”, and has continued this classification as of December 31,
2024. The Company’s European operations primarily consist of all employees and facilities for Quad/Graphics Europe
print and ink manufacturing headquartered in Wyszkow, Poland; the Peppermint agency in Warsaw, Poland; and Quad
Point of Sale (including Marin’s International SAS), which has locations throughout Europe. The Company’s European
operations has historically been included within the International segment and reporting unit.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
115
The following table summarizes the components of the European operations classified as held for sale on the
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024:
December 31,
2024
Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1.7
Receivables—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.6
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
Included in prepaids and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
31.3
Property, plant and equipment—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
22.1
Operating lease right-of-use assets—net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6
Other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.9
Included in other long-term assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
27.6
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
14.2
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.7
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.7
Current portion of finance lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3
Current portion of operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.8
Included in other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
27.7
Finance lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.0
Operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.8
Other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.0
Included in other long-term liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4.8
Restructuring reserve (included in other current liabilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
41.6
Cumulative translation adjustments (loss) (included in accumulated other comprehensive loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(41.6)
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the European operations recognized net sales of $152.9 million and had
an operating loss, including a non-cash impairment charges of $57.6 million, to reduce the carrying value of the
European operations to its estimated fair value, including $41.6 million of non-cash impairment of foreign currency
translation adjustments and $16.0 million of non-cash impairment of tangible property, plant and equipment. The fair
value of the assets held for sale were determined by the Company to be Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy (see
Note 10, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for the definition of Level 2 inputs) and were estimated
based on revised expected net proceeds.
On October 22, 2024, the Company announced it entered into a definitive agreement with Germany-based
entrepreneurial private capital investment manager Capmont GmbH to sell the European operations. The expected net
proceeds are approximately $26.4 million. The sale is expected to close in early 2025, pending customary closing
conditions.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
116
Note 23. New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 470):
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”), which establishes new income tax disclosures to
consistently categorize and provide greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation, including dollar value
and percentage impacts of each component of the reconciliation, as well as further disaggregates income taxes paid. This
guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is evaluating the impact of the
adoption of ASU 2023-09 on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2024-03 “Income Statement — Reporting
Comprehensive Income — Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU
2024-03”), which is intended to improve disclosures about a public business entity's expenses, primarily through
additional disaggregation of income statement expenses. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is
evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2024-03 on the consolidated financial statements.
Note 24. Subsequent Events
Declaration of Quarterly Dividend
On February 12, 2025, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, which will be paid on
March 14, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2025.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)
117
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118
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of
the end of the period covered by this report and has concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31,
2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting,
as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s
internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based
on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management has concluded that,
as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on that
framework.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate.
Ernst & Young LLP (PCAOB ID No. 42) the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, issued
an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024,
which is included herein.
Audit Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The audit report required under this Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” is contained in Item 8, “Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data,” of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
119
Item 9B.
Other Information
During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer of the Company adopted or
terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement”, as each term is defined in
Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
120
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item is included under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Corporate
Governance—Board Committees—Audit Committee”, “Corporate Governance - Insider Trading Policy” and
“Miscellaneous—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (“Proxy Statement”) and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Information with respect
to the executive officers of the Company appears in Part I, Item 1, “Business,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of the Company’s employees,
including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other persons performing
similar functions. The Company has posted a copy of the Code of Business Conduct on its website at quad.com, and
such Code of Business Conduct is available in print, without charge, to any shareholder who requests it from the
Company’s Secretary. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K
regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct by posting such information on its website at
quad.com. The Company is not including the information contained on its website as part of, or incorporating it by
reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is included under the captions “Compensation of Executive Officers,”
“2024 Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan Based Awards in 2024,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at
December 31, 2024,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2024,” “2024 Pension Benefits,” “2024 Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Corporate Governance—
Board Committees—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Pay Versus Performance,” and
“Miscellaneous—Assessment of Compensation-Related Risk,” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated herein
by reference.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The information required by this Item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management is included under the caption “Stock Ownership of Management and Others” in the Proxy Statement and is
hereby incorporated by reference.
121
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of
the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2024. The table does not include employee benefit plans
intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. All equity
compensation plans are described more fully in Note 16, “Equity Incentive Programs,” to the consolidated financial
statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Plan Category
Number of securities
to be issued upon the
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights(2)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,449,447
$
—
1,156,351
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,449,447
$
—
1,156,351
______________________________
(1)
Consists of the Company’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Awards under the Omnibus Plans
(no new awards can be made under the 2010 plan) may consist of incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights,
performance shares, performance share units, shares of class A stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units
or other stock-based awards as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.
(2)
The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights only includes stock options.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is included under the caption “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy
Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is included under the caption “Miscellaneous—Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
122
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
1.
Consolidated financial statements—The consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index to
consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2.
Financial statement schedule—All financial statement schedules are omitted since the required information is not
present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the information
required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
3.
Exhibits—The exhibits listed in the accompanying “Exhibit Index” are filed as part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
123
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page in this
Form 10-K
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . . .
65
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024 .
66
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024 . . . . . . . .
68
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024 .
69
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
124
EXHIBIT INDEX
The exhibits listed in the exhibit index below are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3.1)
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Quad/Graphics, Inc., as amended through May 23,
2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May
20, 2019, and filed on May 24, 2019).
(3.2)
Amended Bylaws of Quad/Graphics, Inc., as amended through February 21, 2024 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2023 and filed on February 22, 2024).
(4.1)
Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/
Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.2)
First Amendment and Consent, dated June 1, 1996, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995,
among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4
(Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.3)
Second Amendment, dated as of March 24, 1998, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995,
among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4
(Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.4)
Third Amendment, dated as of January 26, 2006, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995,
among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4
(Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.5)
Fourth Amendment, dated as of November 24, 2014, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995,
among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
November 24, 2014 and filed on November 26, 2014).
(4.6)
Amendment No. 9, dated as of October 18, 2024, to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of April 28, 2014, by and among Quad/Graphics, Inc., as the Borrower, the Lenders party
thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 18, 2024 and filed on October
23, 2024).
(4.7)
Quad/Graphics, Inc.’s Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February
24, 2021).
Certain other instruments, which would otherwise be required to be listed above, have not been so listed
as such instruments do not authorize long-term debt securities in an amount that exceeds 10% of the
total assets of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Quad/Graphics, Inc.
agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request.
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
125
(9.1)
Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by Betty E. Quadracci, J.
Joel Quadracci, Elizabeth M. Quadracci-Harned and David A. Blais, as trustees as of the date of the
agreement's execution (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated July 2, 2010 and filed on July 9, 2010).
(9.2)
Amendment to Voting Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.2 to the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed on February 22, 2024).
(10.1)++
Dividend/Discount Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.2)++
Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, by and between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and
James Joel Quadracci, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.3)++
Form of Amendment, effective as of September 15, 2016, to the Employment Agreements by and
between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and J. Joel Quadracci (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and filed on
November 2, 2016).
(10.4)++
Form of Executive Salary Continuation Plan for James Joel Quadracci (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.5)++
Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.6)++
Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended through May 20, 2019 (incorporated by
reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on
April 10, 2019).
(10.7)++
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 16, 2010 and filed on December 17, 2010).
(10.8)++
Form of Stock Option and Dividend Equivalent Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010
Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and filed on May 10, 2012).
(10.9)++
Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K dated December 16, 2010 and filed on December 17, 2010).
(10.10)++
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and filed on May 7, 2014).
(10.11)++
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and filed on May 7, 2014).
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
126
(10.12)++
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and filed on August 7, 2014).
(10.13)++
Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and filed on August 7, 2014).
(10.14)++
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, with full retirement vesting, under the Quad/
Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and filed on August 5, 2015).
(10.15)++
Quad/Graphics, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, effective as of September 15, 2016 [participants are
David Honan, Eric Ashworth, Kelly Vanderboom, Julie Currie, Anthony Staniak, Donald McKenna,
Dana Gruen and Robert Quadracci] (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and filed on November 2,
2016).
(10.16)++
Form of 2020 Cash Long-Term Incentive Plan Net Leverage Ratio Award Agreement under the Quad/
Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February
24, 2021).
(10.17)++
Form of 2020 Cash Long-Term Incentive Plan Net Sales Wins Award Agreement under the Quad/
Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February
24, 2021).
(10.18)++
Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix
A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2023).
(10.19)++
Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February 24, 2021).
(10.20)++
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February 24, 2021).
(10.21)++
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February 24, 2021).
(10.22)++
Form of 2021 Cash Long-Term Incentive Plan Net Leverage Ratio Award Agreement under the Quad/
Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February
24, 2021).
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
127
(10.23)++
Form of 2021 Cash Long-Term Incentive Plan Net Sales Wins Award Agreement under the Quad/
Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and filed on February
24, 2021).
(10.24)++
Alternative Form of 2021 Cash Long-Term Incentive Plan Net Leverage Ratio Award Agreement under
the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and filed on May 5,
2021).
(10.25)++
Quad/Graphics, Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan.
(19)
Quad/Graphics, Inc. Insider Trading Policy, including Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan Guidelines.
(21)
Subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc.
(23)
Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP.
(31.1)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(31.2)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
(32)
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350.
(97)
Quad/Graphics, Inc. Compensation Recovery Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed on February
22, 2024).
(99)
Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. [To be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2024; except to the
extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.]
(101)
Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Quad/Graphics, Inc. for the year
ended December 31, 2024 formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL):
(i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss,
(iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
and (vii) document and entity information.
(104)
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
______________________________
++ A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
128
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
None.
129
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130
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 20th day of
February 2025.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
By:
/s/ J. Joel Quadracci
J. Joel Quadracci
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ J. Joel Quadracci
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
February 20, 2025
J. Joel Quadracci
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Anthony C. Staniak
Chief Financial Officer
February 20, 2025
Anthony C. Staniak
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Anne M. Bauer
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
February 20, 2025
Anne M. Bauer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Douglas P. Buth
Director
February 20, 2025
Douglas P. Buth
/s/ Beth-Ann Eason
Director
February 20, 2025
Beth-Ann Eason
/s/ Kathryn Quadracci Flores
Director
February 20, 2025
Kathryn Quadracci Flores
/s/ John C. Fowler
Director
February 20, 2025
John C. Fowler
/s/ Stephen M. Fuller
Director
February 20, 2025
Stephen M. Fuller
/s/ Christopher B. Harned
Director
February 20, 2025
Christopher B. Harned
/s/ Melanie A. Huet
Director
February 20, 2025
Melanie A. Huet
/s/ Jay O. Rothman
Director
February 20, 2025
Jay O. Rothman
/s/ John S. Shiely
Director
February 20, 2025
John S. Shiely
131
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132
Quad 2024 Annual Report
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: John S. Shiely, Retired Chairman and CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corporation; Melanie Huet, Chief Marketing Officer
and Executive Committee Member, Newell Brands; John C. Fowler, Retired Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Global
Strategy & Corporate Development, Quad/Graphics, Inc.; Steven M. Fuller, Former Senior Vice President and CMO, L.L. Bean, Inc.;
J. Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO, Quad/Graphics, Inc.; Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of
QuadMed; President and Director, Windhover Foundation; Christopher B. Harned, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Windhover
Capital; Beth-Ann Eason, Former Managing Director and Senior Digital Transformation Executive for Accenture Interactive;
Former Global President of Innovid; Douglas Buth, Retired Chairman and CEO, Appvion, Inc. (Formerly Appleton Papers, Inc.);
Jay O. Rothman, President of the Universities of Wisconsin.
Quad’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K accompanies this document. If you are a shareholder and would like to receive another copy of the 2024 Form 10-K,
without exhibits and without charge, please write to Dana Gruen, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Quad/Graphics, Inc.,
N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex, WI 53089-3995. You can also access the 2024 Form 10-K on the Investor Relations section of Quad’s website at
Quad.com/investor-relations/annual-reports.
Corporate Headquarters
Quad/Graphics, Inc.
N61 W23044 Harry’s Way
Sussex, WI 53089-3995
info@quad.com
1-888-782-3226
414-566-6000 (Wisconsin)
Investor Relations
Don Pontes
Executive Director of Investor Relations
ir@quad.com
Quad.com/investor-relations
Stock Transfer Agent
Broadridge Financial Solutions
P.O. Box 1342
Brentwood, NY 11717
shareholder@broadridge.com
1-877-830-4936
Shareholder.broadridge.com/Quad
Board of Directors
N61 W23044 Harry’s Way
Sussex, WI 53089-3995
1 (888) 782 3226
Quad.com
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