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Advocate Buys Transcontinental’s Dartmouth Commercial Assets

Advocate Printing and Publishing Company, headquartered in Pictou, Nova Scotia, has acquired most of Transcontinental Inc.’s Dartmouth-based commercial printing business, including associated assets, sales force, and the client-services team. The purchase also provides the opportunity for Advocate to service Transcontinental’s current Atlantic Canadian commercial printing clients serviced by the Dartmouth facility.

Advocate will not assume ownership of Transcontinental Inc.’s national clients, newspaper publishing and newspaper printing, or retail flyer printing business.

“We are excited to welcome new members to the growing Advocate family and provide the best client service, printing and creative options in Atlantic Canada,” said Sean Murray, President and CEO of Advocate Printing. “Our focus now is bringing the benefits of our expanded team and capabilities to our new and existing client base.”

Advocate explains the incoming sales and client-service team will remain in Dartmouth at Advocate’s office in Burnside. Several production team members will be offered positions at the company’s Pictou and Bridgewater facilities.

 “This acquisition strengthens our position as Atlantic Canada’s leader in commercial printing and is another positive step in the continued growth and evolution of our business,” said Murray. “The move allows us to grow and service our customer base through existing Nova Scotia facilities in Pictou, Bridgewater and our New Brunswick facilities in Dieppe and St. Stephen.”  

The majority of the new production will be transferred to Advocate’s flagship printing facility in Pictou with some production going to Bridgewater, the latter of which focuses on short- and medium-run printing. Other equipment will be moved to Advocate’s Dieppe and St. Stephen facilities where the company focuses on what it describes as entrepreneurial print and administrative printing.

Founded in 1891, Advocate Printing & Publishing is described as the largest independent printer in Atlantic Canada. The company services clients throughout the Atlantic Provinces, the eastern seaboard and across Canada through printing facilities in Pictou, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; Dieppe, New Brunswick and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. The print business includes production of a range of work from national flyers, magazines and direct mail to brochures, business cards, and promotional materials.

Additionally, Advocate publishes 10 newspapers, 21 trade and regional magazines, a flyer distribution organization, and operates commercial photography, creative design and digital services operations.