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In 1907, David Wiens Friesen opened a confectionery store in Altona, and he became the postmaster and agent for Manitoba Government Telephones. The telephone switchboard was in his home, and members of the family took turns manning the switchboard between 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. In 1923, Friesen purchased a retail bookstore from Gerhard G. Neufeld and he added stationary, paper goods, and school supplies.
The printing business began in 1933 when the company purchased its first printing press. As this aspect of the business grew, a building and printing plant was purchased in 1937. It was only natural that a printing plant of that size should also produce a newspaper so, in 1941, the Altona Echo was established to cover events in the Red River Valley; it later merged with the Morris Herald and became the Red River Valley Echo.
In 1948, founder David Wiens Friesen retired and sold the business to three of his sons: David Klippenstein “DK” Friesen, Theodore Erwin “Ted” Friesen, and Raymond Christian “Ray” Friesen. In 1950, it was incorporated as D. W. Friesens and Sons (the first meeting of its board of directors occurred on 23 January 1951) and shortly after gained a retail and wholesale territory that stretched beyond Altona to include all of Manitoba, the eastern fringe of Saskatchewan, and northern Ontario. In the late 1950s, the operation moved from its original Main Street locations to a new plant on the east end of Altona, and in 1963 Friesens purchased the company’s first offset press, a new and revolutionary printing process.
Looking to further expand the printing business, the brothers tried specializing in postcards, magazines, and business forms, all of which were unsuccessful, until they tried their hand at school yearbooks in 1965. This was the product that started their sales expansion outside of Manitoba. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Friesens opened sales offices in western Canada, Toronto, and then in most major US cities, under the name “Friesens Corporation”.
In the early 1980s, the three Friesen brothers changed the business to an Employee-Owner model.
Growth continues to this day where Friesens Corporation is Canada’s largest printer of books, and has been rated one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. In 2009, Friesens incorporated FriesensPress, which offers editing, design, distribution, and promotional support to authors wishing to self-publish their books. That same year, Friesens purchased think4D, a three-dimensional packaging and book cover technology.
Role
Period
Executive
Chief Executive Officer
1986-2007
David G. Friesen
2007-2016
Curwin Friesen
2016-present
Chad Friesen
Chairman
1985-1988
David Klippenstein “D.K.” Friesen (1910-1991)
1988-1990
Raymond Christian “Ray” Friesen (1922-1990)
1990-2007
?
2007-2017
David G. Friesen
2016-present
Curwin Friesen
President
1950-1985
David Klippenstein “D.K.” Friesen (1910-1991)
1986-2007
David G. Friesen
2007-2016
Curwin Friesen
2017-present
Chad Friesen
Vice-President
1950-1976
Raymond Christian “Ray” Friesen (1922-1990)
1950-1986
Theodore Erwin “Ted” Friesen (1920-2016)
General Manager
1950-1985
David Klippenstein “D.K.” Friesen (1910-1991)
Secretary-Treasurer
1950-1986
Theodore Erwin “Ted” Friesen (1920-2016)
See also:
Manitoba Business: Altona Echo / Red River Valley Echo
This page was prepared by Holly Thorne and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 21 September 2023
