Dan Devau · CEO · Camad · PRINTING United 2025

At Printing United in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets with Dan Devau from Camad in Toronto to talk about his company’s history, growth, and latest investment in printing technology. Devau reflects on how Camad, founded by his father in the 1960s, continues to thrive through a mix of hard work, adaptability, and an enduring focus on quality. His father, now 92, still visits the company regularly and remains fascinated by the evolution of print technology — often walking the shop floor and marveling at how far the industry has come.

Camad’s production is remarkably diverse, covering everything from event graphics, corporate branding, and film industry projects to outdoor displays, corrugated packaging, and stadium graphics — including all the printed materials for the Toronto Blue Jays. The company maintains a balance between traditional and modern printing methods, operating both digital and screen presses. The screen press still runs 16 hours a day, while new digital systems are helping expand capacity and improve efficiency.

A key focus of the conversation is Camad’s latest investment — an Agfa Onset X Pantera currently en route from Europe to Canada. The new press will replace the company’s long-serving HP 10,000, later upgraded to an 11,000, which is now discontinued. Although Devau initially considered another Agfa model, the decision shifted after his production team — composed of highly experienced press operators — strongly recommended the Pantera for its power, speed, vacuum strength, and productivity. Devau explains that trusting the input of skilled employees has always been essential to his decision-making process.

He also shares insights from his visit to Agfa’s headquarters in Belgium, where he saw firsthand the company’s dedication to research, engineering, and customer collaboration. That experience reinforced his belief that investing in high-quality, reliable equipment supported by a strong technical foundation is the best long-term strategy. Despite his initial hesitation toward automation, Devau emphasizes that Camad’s core philosophy is to keep human eyes on every print — maintaining hands-on quality control to ensure that every product leaving the shop meets the company’s high standards.

After more than 65 years in business, Camad’s guiding principles remain unchanged — a legacy passed down from Devau’s father: always plan for growth, never fear investment, and never compromise on quality. These values, Devau concludes, are what continue to set Camad apart in Canada’s competitive printing landscape and what will keep the company thriving for years to come.