LASALLE, QC—Transcontinental Inc. has announced it is closing its LaSalle, QC printing plant in December.

Transcontinental said the closure will take place "on or about December 20, 2012" leading to the loss of about 150 jobs.

"All employees affected by the termination of printing operations at this plant have been informed of the decision and will receive severance pay as well as out-placement services to help them find new jobs," noted a release.

"The printing industry is undergoing a major transformation that is altering supply and demand. Given the capacity and potential of our network, we have concluded that we have excess production capacity in relation to market demand," noted Marian Kerr, Senior Vice President, Retail and Newspapers - Eastern.

Earlier this year, Transcontinental closed two plants and integrated five other facilities in the wake of acquiring Quad/Graphics Canada.

Transcontinental gained six plants in that transaction — Aurora, Concord, and Markham in Ontario; LaSalle and Montreal in Quebec; Edmonton in Alberta and Dartmouth in Nova Scotia; and one premedia facility in Markham.

The earlier closures affected the Dartmouth Quad/Graphics plant and the Rivière-des-Prairies Quad/Graphics plant in Montreal. About 500 employees were affected by the integration.