2018 Top 50 Distributors: Proforma’s Greg Muzzillo Talks New $10M+ Enterprise Management Platform and More

Each year, Print+Promo compiles the Top 50 distributors into one comprehensive list. Our top earners for 2018 have implemented traditional cornerstones of business success to keep their firms healthy, but, more importantly, they understand that even the fanciest digital inkjet press or e-commerce system can't replace the value of relationships. These distributorships have long abandoned the concept of "product peddler," instead opting for open communication styles grounded in the best interests of their customers. We asked executives from six of our top distributors to talk about their recent accomplishments, future goals and ways they clear their mind. Here is an excerpt from our discussion with No. 2-ranked Proforma.

Greg Muzzillo, founder, Proforma

What was your company’s biggest accomplishment over the last year?

Greg Muzzillo: Proforma’s biggest accomplishment over the last year has been the advancement of our new $10 million-plus enterprise management platform, ProVision 2.0, from the beta phase to the prerelease phase. The development of ProVision 2.0 has been led by some of the brightest minds in technology working together with our most successful owners and some of the largest and most forward-thinking suppliers in the industry. Containing over 130 modules, ProVision 2.0 will greatly enhance the efficiency of our owners and their sales teams, while significantly growing their sales and dynamically increasing their gross profits. The Proforma owners who have been using our new platform over the past 12 months have experienced over a 20 percent increase in sales and over a 17 percent (or 6.5 points) increase in gross profit. Our top priority for 2019 is to advance from the prerelease phase of ProVision 2.0 to our full-release phase.

Why do you love the print and promotional products industry?

GM: At Proforma, we love having the opportunity to help our owners’ dreams come true. It’s an honor that so many people entrust the support center team to help achieve their dreams of owning a print and promotional products business. To date, we have helped 170 owners achieve Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Club status. And, 26 of our owners have been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.

How would you describe your leadership style?

GM: I like to cast a big vision and then work with the leadership team to fine-tune further concepts. From there, I trust our leadership team to lead the support center staff and owners into achieving success.

With all the stress that the modern business world brings, how do you decompress from work?

GM: Honestly, we love what we do! To us, Proforma is not work because we are surrounded by our friends and family.

For more in this top distributors profile series, click here to download a free PDF resource containing all six interviews.

View the full 2018 Top 50 Distributors list here, or click here for stats, trends and analysis from the list.