Toasting the Good Life

It was 1962. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. Cans that could be opened with tabs were invented by the City Beer Company. Sean Connery landed the iconic role of James Bond. Marilyn Monroe was found dead. The new hit on television was "The Beverly Hillbillies." And gas was only 28 cents per gallon.

The publishing industry made its own news that year when Business Forms, Labels & Systems (BFL&S) made its debut.

Irvin J. Borowsky, chairman and founder of Philadelphia-based North American Publishing Company (NAPCO), took an immediate interest in the publication. Two years later, in 1964, Borowsky acquired the magazine from its previous owner.

From the beginning, BFL&S' mission has been to serve the printed products distribution community. With an initial concentration on traditional printed products, including forms and labels, the magazine's focus adapted according to the trends.

As more products entered the market, the magazine underwent a redesign and rebranding to better reflect the broad scope of the print industry. In 2007, BFL&S officially changed its name to Print Professional.

Today, Print Professional reaches more than 12,000 subscribers each month and covers the latest in industry news, marketplace trends, cutting-edge products, and marketing and sales strategies. In addition to the print publication, Print Professional launched a bi-weekly e-newsletter, Print Professional Inbox, which went weekly in 2011.

The staff at Print Professional knows our 50-year history would not have been possible without our readers, the distributors and suppliers of printed products. We thank you for your continued support and toast to many more years together.

Fortunately, we are not alone in our celebration. Many of our peers have recently reached milestone anniversaries. We would like to take a moment to recognize some of them and their achievements. Congratulations!

20 Years
Magnum Magnetics Corporation
Marietta, Ohio
www.magnummagnetics.com

No crystal ball needed here. When a company first opens its doors, there is no guarantee for success. But one thing is clear: if suppliers want to improve their odds, they must get distributors to immediately think "quality" and "excellent customer service" at the first mention of their company's name.

This strategy has worked well for Magnum Magnetics Corporation. Last year, the privately owned, flexible magnet supplier quietly celebrated its 20th anniversary. While Magnum Magnetics currently operates two manufacturing facilities in Ohio totaling 160,000 sq. ft., things were much different 20 years ago.

In 1991, brothers and co-owners Allen and Tom Love took a chance and officially started Magnum Magnetics in a 10,000 sq. ft. building located on the corner of the family farm in Marietta, Ohio. The company completed its first run of flexible magnetic sheeting in May 1992. Over the years, Magnum expanded production capacity and added key personnel and skilled production operators to its team.

Korby P. Guthrie, director, business development, believes several factors have contributed to Magnum's growing success. "Number one is our team. We are fortunate to have great employees who care about our customers and our business," Guthrie said. "Additionally, we are in year five of our Lean Journey [initially launched by President Neil Huck]. We hold Kaizens weekly, which identify opportunities to improve every facet of our business—from production to order processing."

According to Guthrie, other secrets to longevity are to "avoid complacency, challenge convention and take care of your customers." Magnum Magnetics practices what it preaches.

After encountering major competition from foreign magnet companies, Magnum filed suit against Chinese manufacturers for selling, or dumping, their raw flexible magnets at less than fair market value in the United States. The company won the lawsuit and Guthrie went so far as to say that Allen and Tom Love "literally saved the flexible magnet industry in the U.S."

Looking ahead, Magnum will continue to adapt to new technology. "Keeping up with technology is critical to our business—printable magnet[s] and digital presses will be keys in the future," Guthrie anticipated.

Most importantly, Magnum Magnetics will strive to provide service that exceeds its customers expectations. "We appreciate our customers' support throughout the last 20 years, and realize we need to continue to work hard every day to earn their business," Guthrie concluded.

35 Years
The Leslie Company
Olathe, Kan.
www.leslieco.com

When Jerald D. Byrd started The Leslie Company on April 1, 1977, he had one major goal: to be the leading custom vinyl product manufacturer. So, with two pieces of manufacturing equipment, The Leslie Company only produced and sold 1-color silkscreened vinyl binders.

As time passed, Byrd's goal took a different direction. The company grew exponentially in the binder market. Today, customers can choose from various decorating options including multiple silk-screen colors, foil stamp, deboss and four-color process entrapment sheets. In addition, turned edged products, polyethylene products, stock insertable binders and paper binders are available.

But The Leslie Company's product line has evolved beyond vinyl binders. According to Kendra Bringman, vice president, the company has become a "one-stop 'made in the USA' manufacturer" for all custom presentation products.

"Currently, our product line includes paper and poly pocket folders and report covers; paper and poly index tabs; all types, styles and sizes of calendars; text printing and book publishing; document holders; campaign items; menu holders; certificate holders; and numerous ad specialty items," she explained.

Bringman believes The Leslie Company's drive to stay cutting edge with new products has played a pivotal role in its achievements.

"We are adaptable, accept change and always look for success. We stay current with the market needs and demands," she said. "For example, we knew litho paper could be offset printed and wrapped, but with thought and trial and error, we are now able to print digitally, wrap and then turn.

"This year, we are proud to offer digital printed litho wrapped turned edge binders. This binder fills the void in the market place for low quantities, high quality, four-color process turned edge products. We are seeing success with company proposals, government bids and marketing materials."

Innovative products are only part of the equation. The Leslie Company also has fostered a reputation for valuing its customers above everything else. In a time of economic turbulence, people want stability, which is exactly what The Leslie Company can provide. Byrd still holds the title of founder/CEO and his company truly became family owned and operated in 1997 when his wife, Jacqueline Byrd, vice president, and two sons, James Byrd, CFO, and Michael Byrd, vice president of operations joined the team, shortly followed by his daughter, Bringman.

"The company has been owned and operated by the same family since conception; there is no volatility within the company," Bringman commented. "Our executive officers are stable in their positions."

Furthermore, the company's business style is fairly straightforward: don't make empty promises and be accessible to distributors.

"Keep it simple. We do not overanalyze or overcomplicate the process. We provide good service, deliver as promised, and print and manufacture a quality product," Bringman said. "Communication with the distributors is paramount to our success. They can be in contact with the manufacturing plant at any time. Our sales associates are available to answer questions and problem solve for them."

The Leslie Company recognizes the hard work and talent of its staff, which consists of approximately 100 employees. "The Leslie Company would not be a success without our skilled production employees, knowledgeable sales associates, expert art department and support staff," Bringman noted.

In addition to celebrating its 35th anniversary with its employees, the company is planning promotional offers for its distributors. "All distributors need to check the mailbox and inbox often to take advantage of our great offers," Bringman encouraged.

No matter what the next 35 years may bring for The Leslie Company, it does not want to lose sight of its founding heritage: binders. However, binders do not solely define the company. "We want people to know that binders are just one product of many that we offer. … Binders were just the beginning," she said.

75 Years
Badger Tag & Label Corp.
Random Lake, Wis.
www.badgertag.com

Badger Tag & Label Corporation's small-town values have paid off in a big way. Established in 1935, the company celebrated its milestone 75th anniversary in 2010. Now entering its 77th year in business, Badger is in its third generation of the Thiel family ownership and employs approximately 38 people.

Badger Tag may not have stood a chance if Founder Emil Thiel didn't take a risk. Thiel was involved in a variety of business adventures until he combined with The Piperhagens of Milwaukee who were operating a company called Globe Tag. The business was moved to Random Lake, Wis. at that time. However, during the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929, the company was not profitable and the Piperhagens left the business—and the debt—behind. Other stockholders in the company gave Thiel the opportunity to buy them out, so he did. He was now the sole owner of a defunct business.

Shortly thereafter, he invited his two sons, Elmer and Clarence, to join the company, and later employed his three daughters. On Sept. 4, 1935, the company was incorporated under the name Badger Tag Corporation. It wasn't until 1969 that the company changed its name to Badger Tag & Label Corporation to better represent its growing product line.

Rita Horstmeier, sales/marketing manager, believes Badger's wide range of functional custom tags and labels and diverse customer base are partly responsible for the company's longevity in the print industry. To ensure customer requests—whether routine or challenging—are properly fulfilled, Badger has made some significant investments in equipment.

"Our most recent additions were a six-color Flexo press added in 2004, and in 2009 we added a six-color digital press along with a digital plotter cutter," Horstmeier mentioned.

She continued, "Badger has always been the source for customers to solve a problem they may be experiencing with a tag or label application. Whether it is with the material or adhesive, Badger is here to offer creative solutions."

While it is essential to keep up with industry trends, for Badger, true success comes from a commitment to customer service. Where there is trust, there is a customer for life.

"Badger's longevity is due to the personal care that customers get with Badger. We have not strayed from the small-town values to always take care of the customer, and they know we are here to listen to and take care of their needs," Horstmeier said.

Over time, she has observed a pattern of unhappy distributors who didn't receive the special attention they deserved. Fortunately, Badger can help. "We encounter customers over and over, who at times are dissatisfied with the 'less personal care' that seems to be the trend," she commented. "We don't plan to change our policy of personal care for our customers."

To reward the efforts of its talented and attentive staff, Badger treated its employees to a celebratory dinner and boat tour in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and presented them with a gift basket of items from several of the company's customers. And, of course, customers were not forgotten during the anniversary festivities. "We held a drawing for our customers during the month of September in 2010," Horstmeier recalled.

Looking ahead, Badger will remain true to its mission: "to provide quality products at competitive prices to our customers nationwide and beyond. We believe in small-town values and take customer service very seriously. Our customers know we are a company in the Midwest in whom they can place their trust."

Before long, the industry will be buzzing about Badger's 80th anniversary.

90 Years
Flottman Company, Inc.
Crestview Hills, Ky.
www.flottmanco.com

When distributors hear "Flottman Company," CEO Tom Flottman said they immediately think "great people to work with, consistent quality, reliability and integrity." The rich history of his company is a testament to his belief—all 90 years of it.

In an industry replete with mergers and acquisitions, unsettling rumors and uncertainty, very few are able to reach Flottman Company's milestone anniversary. But Flottman was born to print.

"For three generations, Flottman Company has thrived as a family-owned and operated full service printing company. You could say printing is in our genes," he commented.

The company's roots can be traced back to 1921. F.E. Flottman started the company as a commercial job shop when he purchased the printing and advertising department from his employer, the Molitor Stove Company. Under F.E.'s son Rod Flottman, the company's second-generation president, the business grew into a commercial color lithographer. Today, Rod's children, Tom Flottman, Sue Steller, president, and Peter Flottman, CFO, continue the family tradition.

Over the years, the company has undergone many changes. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as part of the labeling requirement for prescription drugs, required more information than would fit on the product label. Pharmaceutical manufacturers needed to include this expanded labeling as a printed leaflet. Flottman Company responded to this need at the request of a pharmaceutical client. While the company still produces commercial full color printing, more than 50 percent of its business is now in this pharmaceutical niche.

In 1994, a year after the third generation of Flottmans took over, the company launched a pharmaceutical marketing campaign that garnered a substantial amount of attention. This led the team to form The Rxpert Printing Alliance.

"The Alliance is a strategic relationship where we market to the industry and share technical information among Alliance Partners. Each Alliance member produces a separate component of the drug package, participates in the same market and does not compete against other members," Tom Flottman explained. "Alliance customers benefit from one-stop convenience for cartons, labels and inserts and each member company benefits from information sharing, cross marketing of customers, and joint sales and marketing efforts."

According to Flottman, more than 35 percent of company sales come from Alliance accounts. As a result, he expects Rxperts will continue to be "the vehicle that drives [them] to continued growth in this market."

Another key movement for Flottman Company occurred in 2008. The strategic management team determined the future of the company was as a supplier of diversified graphic services.

"We have rebranded ourselves as a communications company offering marketing and visual communications as well as print to the marketplace," Flottman said. "We developed Brilliant Communications, which is a personalized, multi-channel process that results in exponentially higher response rates from marketing campaigns."

With so many projects in the works, it may be surprising to learn Flottman Company follows a "relaxed" business style. "[We are] supportive of our managers whom we empower to be innovative leaders and expect to communicate the company's vision," Flottman remarked.

The company also made sure to set aside time to acknowledge its milestone anniversary in 2011. In celebration, Flottman Company launched its year-long "90 Years, Plant 900 Trees" campaign. Clients were encouraged to select FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) jobs using recycled and mixed materials. To honor their efforts, Flottman Company donated a tree to the Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign for every job completed.

"This January we will donate 1,000 trees to the program, surpassing our goal and placing a capstone on our 90th anniversary," Flottman announced.

When the third generation of Flottmans initially took leadership, their goal was to grow the business "to provide opportunities to their employees, value to their customers and contributions to their community." Throughout the last 19 years, they accomplished that and more.

"Sales have tripled, employment has increased 250 percent and we constructed a new facility in Crestview Hills, Ky.," Flottman said. "We now have a management team of family owners and key managers that meets regularly to plot the strategy of Flottman Company."

However, complacency is not an option for this group. To stay on track, Flottman provided a particularly piece of crucial advice. "A company cannot stand still and succeed," he concluded.