Wauconda, Illinois-based Plastic Graphic Co. has remained a family-owned business for 40 years due to some simple, but straight-forward, business reasons, according to vice president of sales Brian Grimes.
"We stayed family-owned by buying the most modern equipment, but mostly we have no debt and run a very lean operation," he said.
And, though the company runs a tight ship, he proudly noted Plastic Graphic did not lay off anyone or cut any salaries during the recession.
Here, Grimes gets into more business basics, his background and the secret to his success.
Print Professional (PP): Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? What school did you attend, what is your degree?
Brian Grimes (BG): [I grew up in] La Grange, Ill. [I graduated from] Augustana College [with a] bachelor's degree in finance and marketing.
PP: How did you end up in the printing industry?
BG: [I] worked in the food industry for 10 years and really wanted to get into some kind of manufacturing business of my own.
PP: Describe your business style.
BG: We are family owned and are available to our customers regardless of the size of the customer.
PP: What is the best business advice you ever received?
BG: All orders are good orders regardless of size.
PP: What is your greatest business accomplishment and disappointment?
BG: [My biggest accomplishment is] the ability to grow year in, year out and the biggest disappointment was having a "partner" in the industry steal a customer after assisting in the fulfillment of the job.
PP: What is the secret to your success?
BG: To always be a family business [and to be] accessible to our customers' needs.
PP: What do you think is the most exciting, cutting-edge thing your company is doing right now? Why?
BG: Our industry is almost completely owned by investment groups and we see our family business excelling where large investment groups fail.
PP: What do you think will be the printing industry's biggest challenge in the next few years?
BG: [The biggest challenge will be] to keep the foreign competitors at bay.
PP: What is the best part of your business day? Please explain.
BG: Getting a compliment from a customer.
PP: What would people be surprised to learn about you—hobbies, special interests, etc.?
BG: I am color-deficient in browns and greens.