In 2002, six suppliers joined forces to establish UnigraphicsUSA. Over time, the membership evolved and in 2008, the group changed its organizational structure, rebranded and formed the Strategic Print Alliance (SPA). Today, six member companies—with 10 plants coast-to-coast—remain aligned by friendship and the business philosophy, "Independent strength. United power."
Spanning across the United States, the six member companies include Apex Color (located in Jacksonville, Fla.), Bradley Graphic Solutions (located in Bensalem, Pa.), The Flesh Company (located in St. Louis), Printgraphics (located in Vandalia, Ohio), Superior Business Associates (located in Greeneville, Tenn.) and Wright Enterprises (located in Portland, Ore.).
These member companies own and operate the SPA and elect the organization's officers, who serve two-year terms. The current officers are:
• President: Dan Adkison, president and COO of Wright Enterprises.
• Vice President: Bob Berardino, president and COO of The Flesh Company.
• Executive Director: David Batson.
• Treasurer: Gerard Winterbottom, CFO of The Flesh Company.
The best way to get to know the alliance is to start at the beginning. Adkison explained the original purpose for the alliance was to leverage business consumables, primarily paper purchases, through preferred supplier partners like Rollsource and Appleton Paper. The alliance has grown into so much more.
"The new executive team at SPA has worked diligently to drive cost reductions in other critical areas including marketing, advertising, trade show expenses and web-based connectivity tools," Adkison said. "I think our member companies would say, however, that the greatest benefits have been the ability to benchmark 'best practices' (including lean manufacturing principles), and to discuss industry trends."
Another selling point may be SPA's ability to offer a national manufacturing and distribution footprint to service customers of all sizes. "Our ability to leverage our consumables spend and exploit our geographic reach gives us a distinct competitive advantage in the marketplace," Batson noted. "Our success is evidenced by our distributor partners' ability to compete head-to-head for key national accounts. With a combined total of 276 years of experience, an uncompromised commitment to the independent distributor network and a track record of stability and financial strength—we are unique in the industry."
SPA's dedication to the independent distributor network is the primary message it is trying to communicate. The alliance wants the industry to understand that strategic relationships with strong regional suppliers can translate into new business opportunities for both small and large distributorships. But, in a business environment where loyalties are sometimes uncertain, it is crucial for distributors to know where they stand with their partners.
"SPA member companies are privately-owned and operated, yet share a common commitment to the health and vitality of the independent distributor community. When the traditional sales channels are increasingly becoming compromised, it's nice to know who your partners are and whom you can trust. We are proud of our solid reputations our member companies have built within the industry," Batson said.
Adkison added, "I think the Strategic Print Alliance brings to the printing industry a new spirit of collaboration and cooperation amongst best-in-class manufacturers. Frankly, that is a refreshing change. We are an alliance of independently owned and operated businesses, but singularly focused on developing unique, customer-facing solutions."
In addition to unwavering dedication, the SPA offers a wide variety of capabilities. Customers have access to more than 100 presses in 10 plants across the United States. It provides everything from padded singles to commercial sheetfed and web, offset to digital color and fulfillment to statement processing.
"Customers are looking for innovative ways to drive costs out of their businesses. Strategic Print Alliance allows you to manufacture closer to the point of need, provide a quality product and back it up with the uncompromising customer service you have come to expect from regional suppliers," Batson stated.
The future of the SPA is bright. Members will assuredly diversify, add new equipment, reinvest in new legacy software, acquire smaller regional providers and, most importantly, embrace change as ways to calm the stormy effects of a weathered economy. It is no secret that the last few years have proven difficult for many in the printing industry. "Suppliers are struggling because of declining revenues, higher operating costs, significant capital requirements to retool their businesses and rapidly changing customer buying preferences," Adkison observed.
The next few years look even less promising for smaller, undercapitalized or highly leveraged manufacturers as they continue to compete. Another goal of the alliance is to ensure that SPA member companies adapt more quickly to market dynamics, ultimately outperforming the balance of the industry, Adkison stressed.
Nevertheless, Adkison remained optimistic and enthusiastic. He recognizes the highly creative and resilient entrepreneurs that comprise a dynamic industry. The key to success lies within the customers—specifically, listening to their needs. "We need to find ways to positively impact their businesses by offering a wide array of products/services and delivering them in a more elegant and efficient manner," asserted Adkison. "That means leveraging innovative technologies to erase geography and further increase speed to market. Manufacturers need to respond more quickly and decisively to the rate of change taking place in the marketplace."
The SPA may be a fairly young alliance, but it is fueled by the combined experience and knowledge of its member companies. It takes a willingness to listen, evaluate, advise and respond with quality products and value-added services. "It's a formula for success that we believe is repeatable and sustainable for many years to come," Batson said.