The Eastern Townships Region of Quebec, also known as Estrie, has something special: a local publication, featuring content about local businesses written by local journalists, that is printed by a local printer on locally produced paper.
It’s all thanks to an inspiring local printing partnership that took shape last year. Précigrafik, a printing company in Sherbrooke, Quebec, approached the region’s news outlet, La Tribune, and offered to print La Tribune Affaires, the publication’s magazine for the local business community.
Previously, the magazine had been printed by a different vendor outside the region. Partnering with Précigrafik came with a bonus: The printer has long sourced paper produced at Domtar’s nearby Windsor Mill. Domtar was pleased to join the local printing partnership and agreed to contribute with paper in support of the initiative.
La Tribune Affaires has since become a familiar sight in the area, where it is distributed to hundreds of local businesses.
Partners Have Deep Roots in Estrie
All three partners have deep roots in the region. Précigrafik was established in 1988. La Tribune was founded in 1910. And the Windsor Mill has been manufacturing paper since it was built by Angus, Logan & Co. in 1864. While each organization has weathered its share of industry and market changes, they all proudly contribute to the vitality of the community.
The Windsor Mill produces bleached hardwood wet-lap market pulp and uncoated freesheet paper, including high-brightness opaques, multi-purpose digital papers, copy paper, laser forms, bond, envelope and recycled content. Besides employing more than 860 people, the mill contributes to local life by leasing its forestlands for hunting, fishing and hiking, as well as for maple syrup production.
Through ecological donations totaling more than 12,000 acres, Domtar and the Windsor Mill have also helped preserve some of Quebec’s most prized forestlands, ensuring these unique ecosystems are conserved for future generations.
Project Earns Local Recognition
On May 30, 2025, the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry) recognized the local printing partnership at the 2025 Reconnaissance Estrie Gala. The event celebrates excellence, engagement and innovation exemplified by the region’s businesses.
Gilles Blais, president of Précigrafik, expressed appreciation for the recognition of this initiative, which he described as “anchored in the values of environmental responsibility.” Hugo Fontaine, former editor of La Tribune, noted that “being a local media outlet anchored in its community means not only providing information that affects our fellow citizens, but also forging partnerships that contribute to the dynamism of our region.”
Local Printing Partnership Promotes Area Manufacturing
Providence Cloutier, director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement for Eastern Canada at Domtar, sees several benefits to the local printing partnership. “It encourages people to take pride in promoting local products,” she says. “Domtar makes so many everyday products. It’s great that our employees can spot the fruit of their labor at locations around their community.”
The printed magazines are a tangible symbol of an inspiring partnership.
The local printing partnership aligns with three of Domtar’s core values: Caring for the success of the communities where we have operations, embracing an entrepreneurial spirit and uniting diverse talent in a spirit of collaboration.
