Preserving Profitability in a Challenging Ecomony

Quality, service and sound strategic planning put these suppliers on top.

Rising from third place in last year's BFL&S Top 100 Manufacturers list, Ennis Business Forms, DeSoto, Texas, has achieved top honors this year. The successful company reported $240.8 million in sales for the latest fiscal year completed.

When asked about the company's formula for success, Keith Walters, president and CEO, said that a combination of tried-and-true principles coupled with new ideas and acquisitions have proven to be the winning ticket.

"Ennis continues to concentrate on basics, including customer service, cost control and e-commerce developments," Walters said. He also identified the integration of Calibrated Forms, Columbus, Kan., as a major factor in the company's success this year.

It goes without saying that a company is only as good as its employees, and Walters credits his employees' tireless efforts for the company's continued success. He said that Ennis' three business groups—Forms Solutions, Promotional Solutions and Financial Solutions Group—performed well and contributed to the company's overall profitability. Founded in 1905, Ennis Business Forms has 2,200 employees in 30 locations across the United States.

"Ennis is fortunate to have an experienced and talented sales/customer service staff," said Walters. "Our strategy of utilizing both national and regional selling has proven beneficial for our distributors and for Ennis."

Furthermore, Walters said that Ennis' strong distributor base remains an integral part of the company's continuing growth. "Without our successful business relationships with distributors, Ennis would not enjoy its record success," he said. "Many new and expanded partnerships are planned for the coming year that will allow new tools to be available to our customers."

For Walters, Ennis' future is bright, and he is confident that the company will continue to experience growth, even in shaky economic times. "While many manufacturers are facing uncertain futures, our financial stability and solid reputation will assure Ennis a meaningful role in the industry moving forward," he concluded.