Industry News

Cleveland, Ohio-based Proforma announced the development of the ProSTART Selling System, a step-by-step program enabling Proforma franchise owners to achieve sales of $180,000 in one year or less, and $440,000 in two years by breaking down the selling process into basic steps. “To be successful in our industry, you have to be in the right place, at the right time, enough times to identify opportunities to earn your prospect’s business. The ProSTART Selling System helps owners do just that,” said Greg Muzzillo, founder and co-CEO. For more information, visit www.proforma.com.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, International Business Solutions Alliance (IBSA), a nationwide organization of independent printing and promotional products distributors, reported a 300 percent increase in health-care sales for 2005 under the Novation contract. IBSA affiliates are focusing on the challenges faced by under-served, non-acute clinics and smaller hospitals. In addition, IBSA has signed an agreement with Oklahoma’s largest not-for-profit health-care group, INTEGRIS Health, Oklahoma City, for purchasing forms, printing, promotional products and other business solutions as part of the Novation contract. INTEGRIS Health operates a system of 11 hospitals and 19 physician’s offices.  IBSA’s Oklahoma City affiliate, Print Imaging Group, will supply nine INTEGRIS

2006, George W. Bush is the nation’s president. The United States is at war in Iraq and the economy struggles to recover from a post Sept. 11 crash. Digital files can be sent across the country in a matter of minutes via the Internet and the Mp3 player is first-rate technology for compiling music collections. Business forms manufacturers are now solutions providers and BFL&S has changed its tag line to read “The Publication for Distributors and Manufacturers of Printed Products.” today, the buzz words are more hip, the equipment mixes more high-tech, the products more diverse and the marketing methods more sophisticated. Sales

Proforma chose Cleveland—home of its national headquarters—as the location for its first regional meeting, which occurred Jan. 30-31. Six more regional meetings will be held across the United States and Canada throughout March. “We’ve designed the meetings to educate owners about new growth opportunities and how to maximize their success, as well as network with other owners and our preferred limited partner suppliers,” said Greg Muzzillo, founder and co-CEO. Also, the company is launching ProApparel by Proforma at the meetings. The line of private-label wearables, including dress shirts, casual shirts and outerwear, comes in a wide array of styles, sizes, colors and embroidery options.

Ennis, Midlothian, Texas, acquired 100 percent of the stock of Specialized Printed Forms (SPF), a privately held company headquartered in Caledonia, N.Y. The acquisition involves the purchase of all of SPF’s outstanding stock from Robert McAleavey, president, and CEO of SPF, as well as the associated land and buildings from a partnership that leases the facility to SPF. The acquisition will add additional short-run print products, long-run (jumbo rolls) products and solutions as well as, integrated labels and form/label combinations sold through the indirect sales (distributorship) marketplace. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Ennis’ earnings in the first full year of

1986, Ronald Reagan was in his second term as president, the economy was growing and inflation was low. “Platoon” won the best film category at the Academy Awards and vinyl records were still a staple in everyone’s music collection. BFL&S was Business Forms & Systems, and 50 percent of industry distributors had just one single computer in their facilities. Daisey printers used ribbon cartridges and business forms ruled supreme. In fact, for many manufacturers and distributors, business forms were the only necessary game in town. The competition was clear, everyone provided similar services to clients and location dictated business. what a difference a couple

American Solutions for Business (ASB), Glenwood, Minn., entered a three-year guaranteed savings program with Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea, Minn., through the Novation supplier agreement. Comprised of 15 medical units in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, Albert Lea Medical Center is a member of VHA. Since Novation is the contracting arm of VHA, the facility has access to Novation contracts. In other news, ASB received top honors at an awards ceremony held on Jan. 26 in St. Louis Park, Minn., which recognized work/life balance initiatives among Minnesota businesses that implement programs and practices to create flexible and supportive workplaces. ASB was

The DFS Group, Townsend, Mass., added dozens of new products to its 2006 Business Printing Catalog, including everyday cards; embossed anniversary seals; an extensive new line of high-quality custom and stock pre-inked stamps and new health-care products, such as prescription pads. The DFS Group has been selling business forms, checks, labels, full-color printing, tax forms, holiday cards and other related printed products through distributors for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.dfsonline.com. Visit www.bfls.com/infocenter and enter #204

VersaSeal, Montrose Ala.—a PrintXcel Brand and original manufacturer of pressure-seal solutions—announced the release of its updated video and DVD sales tool. The educational products, which do not reference PrintXcel as the vendor, are designed to assist distributors in introducing pressure-seal solutions to end-users contemplating alternative mailing solutions. For more information, call (800) 767-3743. Visit www.bfls.com/infocenter andenter #201

Headquartered in Appleton, Wis., Pro Label purchased Xpanded Label Technology LLC, also located in Appleton. Several key employees will join Pro Label as part of the transition. The Xpanded Label Technology name will be discontinued. Kevin Wichman, president of Pro Label, noted the acquisition adds new technology to his company’s current capabilities, while providing a broader range of services and product offerings to the combined customer bases. For more information, call (920) 831-0404 or visit www.pro-label.com.