Western States Envelope and Label

1. The Defending Champions Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis has much to celebrate—perhaps most importantly its repeated procurement of the winning spot in Print Professional’s top 100 manufacturers list. The company attributes its success to product expansion and national branding efforts. Acquisitions, in particular, give the supplier prime positioning to accomplish such feats. Most recently, Trade Envelopes, Carol Stream, Ill., Phoenix-based B&D Litho of Arizona and Skyline Business Forms, Denver, have been added to the Ennis catalog. “Since the acquisition, we have expanded Trade Envelopes’ envelope conversion capabilities. We have also added envelope converting equipment in Calibrated [Forms], and coupled with our existing Block Graphics

The deadline-driven lifestyle of today’s professional requires efficient and convenient means of communication. E-mail, in particular, provides instant gratification for the “think fast” individual with a single click of the send button. However, e-mail lacks the personal touch experienced with an envelope. According to a 2007 survey conducted by International Communications Research on behalf of Pitney Bowes, 73 percent of the participating consumers indicated a preference for receiving new product announcements and offers from companies through mail; a whopping 86 percent of consumers named mail as their preference for receiving confidential communications, including bills and bank statements. Granted, e-commerce has impacted traditional mail-based

Western States Envelope & Label Educates Industry Professionals on Its Latest and Greatest Products at PSDA 2007

By Maggie DeWitt Direct mailers know recipients respond better to paper-based communications delivered to home mailboxes than unsolicited e-mails sent to computers. Yet, there is no denying the effectiveness—and pervasiveness—of electronic media for disseminating information today. That being said, October’s mystery product is a perfect blending of the traditional and digital. To guess what the product is, check out the following clues: • It can be designed as a printed self-mailer, as well as an envelope format. • It features a unique, patented design resulting in a two-piece product. • It is a United States Postal Service (USPS)-approved product—weighing less than one ounce with a CD or DVD

1. Winner and Still Champion, Ennis Although not wishing to divulge specific acquisition targets at this time, the Ennis corporate team, headquartered in Midlothian, Texas, is continuing its strategy of acquiring companies that offer complimentary products to its existing line as, well as companies that offer products that could be sold through the existing distributor customer base. The strategy is obviously working, as the company again claims the top spot in Print Professional’s top 100 manufacturers ranking. And, while some in the industry fear the larger consolidators are creating pricing pressures that will ultimately commoditize products and services, Keith Walters, president and

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Western States Envelope & Label has added a new F.L. Smithe Servo Rotomatic with an ESP (Enhanced Servo Press) unit for inline four-color process flexo printing. The press features precise video registration and inspection, as well as high-speed inline folding. “A roll goes on one end, and the finished product comes off the other end, having been printed in four-color process, die cut and folded all inline,” explained Steve Brocker, vice president of sales and marketing. “The press produces 1,000 envelopes per minute, and has reduced turnaround by approximately a week and a half for this type of high-end production.” The

DMIA’s annual Print Solutions conference and exposition will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The conference will provide three days of educational sessions, including a presentation by this year’s keynote speaker, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and co-author of “Contract with America.” Join Gingrich as he analyzes the current political climate in Washington, DC, and educates attendees on effective leadership. This year’s conference will feature equipment demonstrations, offering distributors better insight into how various applications are produced. In addition, exchange centers will be located on the show floor with more than 34 hours of

Western States Envelope & Label, Butler, Wis., has received a Badger Award for outstanding achievement in environmentally sound materials during the 6th annual Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA), a statewide printing competition hosted by the Printing Industries of Wisconsin (PIW). Competing against 820 printing and graphic arts entries from across the state, the company received a Best of Category award for its new Globe 100 product sales kits, featuring a line of premium-quality, 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper products. Western States Envelope & Labels’ winning submission was for the presentation folder depicting the theme of preserving nature for future generations. “We are very proud of our

Headquartered in Butler, Wis., Western States Envelope & Label has received a Badger Award for outstanding achievement in environmentally sound materials during the 6th annual Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA), a statewide printing competition hosted by the Printing Industries of Wisconsin (PIW). Competing against 820 printing and graphic arts entries from across the state, the company received a Best of Category Award for its new Globe 100 product sales kits, featuring a line of premium-quality, 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper products. Western States Envelope & Label’s winning submission was for the presentation folder depicting the theme of preserving nature for future generations. “We are so proud