Talking Shop

"We are constantly investing in our people and our organization to give us the ability to continually improve ourselves and our performance for our customers," Lemberger said. "We are committed to the concept that we need to be the best possible choice available for value and performance."

Western States accomplished this by offering creative products and solutions to meet customers' envelope and label needs. And it's happened at "record-breaking shorter lead times," according to Lemberger, who cited this as the company's greatest success over the past year. Planning ahead, the company intends to cut those lead times even more.

"Our top priority this year is to concentrate on continuing to shorten our industry-leading lead times, while improving quality and also lowering costs," Lemberger explained. "We are focused on helping our customers grow their business by providing them with products and services that add value and give them the ability to exceed their customers' needs and expectations in the areas of quality, delivery and price."

By upholding a customer-driven platform, Lemberger hopes to avoid some of the problems currently troubling the industry. Product-pushing, or what Lemberger refers to as "volume-based business models and commodity-based mindsets," can signal potential danger ahead for guilty buyers and sellers. Western States won't have a part in this if left up to Lemberger. It's all about shaping ideas and selling value.

"We are concentrating on developing exciting, new products and ideas that enable our customers to differentiate themselves from the competition and be successful," Lemberger commented. "The changing marketplace dynamics are always creating new opportunities. We know that our ability to perform for our customers will help them take advantage of those opportunities."

After more than 100 years as a supplier to the trade, all bets are on Western States. "[...] We have learned that our own best chance for success is firmly tied into our customers' success," Lemberger concluded. "We look at things long-term, and consider our customers' best interests to also be our own."