Distributor News

IBSA Partners With SATO To offer HealthCARE ID Solutions
January 2, 2007

Indianapolis-based International Business Solutions Alliance (IBSA) has signed an agreement with SATO Corporation—a provider of barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions—to offer a more secure method of administering patient care and improving patient safety. SATO’s Positive Patient ID solution offers health-care providers a path to compliance using the latest in cost-effective patient identification technology, including SATO DuraMark thermal wristbands, code colorized fastening clips, CTMD thermal printers and Label Gallery HC application software. SATO’s Positive Patient ID solution will advance an organization’s method of banding, tracking, and administering medications to patients. SATO’s Positive Patient ID wristbands work seamlessly with existing bedside bar code systems, and help

Remedy Ailing Profits
January 1, 2007

With suppliers and distributors increasingly taking on functions once exclusive of each other, are the terms used to describe their roles still accurate? As a company acquires production capabilities, is there a point at which it ceases to be an independent distributorship? What about manufacturers with direct selling divisions? These are hotly debated issues, and will remain so as the industry evolves. While the language describing emerging business models may be undecided, there’s strong agreement across the independent supply channel concerning the harsh realities of maintaining profitability. Add to this the fact that unique new challenges keep emerging, driven by technology and multimedia marketing trends.

Adding Value: IBSA Partners with Misys Healthcare Systems
December 5, 2006

Indianaapolis-based International Business Solutions Alliance (IBSA) has signed an agreement with Misys Healthcare Systems, Raleigh, N. C., to provide health information technology—including electronic medical records (EMR)—to IBSA’s health-care customers. The agreement gives IBSA’s members the opportunity to enter into the Misys Valued Partner program. As authorized resellers of Misys Healthcare Systems solutions, IBSA affiliates can offer customers a fully integrated practice management solution that includes billing, scheduling and EMR offerings, all supported by a solid, recognized industry leader. The partnership with Misys gives IBSA an advantage in its current national health-care contracts, including Novation and First Choice Cooperative, as well as in

Success: WorkflowOne Chosen as IBM Supplier
December 5, 2006

WorkflowOne, Dayton, Ohio, was selected by IBM Corporation as its supplier for custom-printed rolls and continuous forms to be used in IBM high-speed laser printers. WorkflowOne will produce and distribute the forms and 50˝ rolls under the IBM brand, and market the supplies through its national sales organization. Custom-printed rolls and continuous forms are used in a number of different industries for statements, invoices and other customer communications. The high-quality documents help streamline processes and facilitate faster cash flow, while portraying a professional image. WorkflowOne’s preprinted rolls and continuous forms are engineered to result in fewer printer jams and document defects, thereby boosting throughput and productivity.

People: Proforma Image Products Supplies Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Wearables
November 21, 2006

Proforma Image Products, Logan, Utah, supplied Kartchner Homes and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with 2,700 screen-printed shirts, 1,300 embroidered hats, and more than 200 pieces of embroidered apparel used as onsite uniforms for their recent project in Logan. The project benefited the Pauni family who lost their father and husband to a heart attack in 2004. Since that time the family of 10 has struggled to stay afloat. “We were so happy to be contacted to participate in this project,” said Kristy Bloxham, Partner of Proforma Image Products. Prior to the construction of the home, Proforma Image Products was contacted to provide embroidered

Top 100 Distributors
November 1, 2006

Rank: 1 Company: WorkflowOne, Dayton, Ohio Sales $(000): 1,000,000 Principal Officer(s): Greg Mosher, Chairman, CEO Locations: 150 Rank: 2 Company: Proforma, Cleveland Sales $(000): 293,000 Principal Officer(s): Greg Muzzillo, Founder, Co-CEO; Vera Muzzillo, Co-CEO Locations: 650 Rank: 3 Company: American Solutions for Business, Glenwood, Minn. Sales $(000): 239,776 Principal Officer(s): Larry Zavadil, President Locations: 410 Rank: 4 Company: GBS, North Canton, Ohio Sales $(000): 90,143 Principal Officer(s): Eugene Calabria, President, CEO Locations: 12 Rank: 5 Company: Merrill Corp., Monroe, Wash. Sales $(000): 83,950 Principal Officer(s): Mark Rossi, President Locations: 6 Rank: 6 Company: The Shamrock Companies, Westlake, Ohio Sales

The Top Five Enjoy Continued Success
November 1, 2006

There are no surprises among the top five finishers in the BFL&S distributor ranking this year. Results for 2006 essentially reflect last year’s, except, of course, for the absence of Global DocuGraphix following the company’s demise in July. Brief summaries of the top five extraordinarily successful distributorships, including present status and future outlook, appear below: 1 WorkflowOne Dayton, Ohio Established 1927 2006 Sales: $1 Billion 2005 Sales: $391.7 Million Most profitable products: Forms (33.8 percent); envelopes, folders and stationery (23.3 percent); commercial print (13.5 percent). Manufacturing capabilities: Yes Typical order size: From individual orders totaling less than $100, to multi-year contracts worth more

People: Webb/Mason Appoints TopForm Software Executive Officers
October 24, 2006

Baltimore-based Webb/Mason announced its CIO, Brian Fritsche, has joined TopForm’s executive team as the president and CEO. In addition, Denise Montroy was promoted to vice president of technology. Webb/Mason acquired TopForm Software, Norcross, Ga., in August. With more than twenty years of experience in e-commerce, Web-to-print technology and online print procurement, Fritsche oversees the direction of the company, while ensuring the focus remains on customers. “We are going to accelerate our level of product innovation, technical advancement, value-added service and customer support,” said Fritsche. “My goal is to develop a strong foundation enabling TopForm to offer high-quality software solutions that are technologically advanced.” Fritshe

True but not always tried
September 1, 2006

Selling to insurance markets hasn’t gotten any easier. Since e-forms started to topple traditional, paper-based markets, nothing has surfaced to put distributors and manufacturers back in high demand in this field. Laser forms have also usurped much of the work from traditional printers. With each passing year, it seems distributors have a harder time making in-roads into the insurance market. The problem is further augmented by the merging of insurance providers. While the conglomeration of corporate giants may benefit the largest printers and most prominent distributors, it has proven detrimental for smaller companies and independent printing professionals. “I think years ago there were a lot

Driven to Succeed
May 1, 2006

How distributors choose to navigate today’s complicated business landscape can put them either on the road to success or the highway to hell. American Solutions for Business (ASB), Glenwood, Minn., appears to be mapping out profitable routes through vertical market sales. Currently celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary, President Larry Zavadil recalled ASB’s first few years in business when some in his small group of sales associates were focused on particular industries, including government, health-care and banking. “Everyone quickly learned to call upon their peer specialist to secure a new client, and sharing became part of ASB’s unique culture,” he said. “We learned that we