Manufacturers

Plastic Graphic Increases Production Capacity
March 27, 2007

Headquartered in Wauconda, Ill., Plastic Graphic Company has added a new Oasys Collater (tacking process prior to lamination), as well as a second eight-opening Burkle Laminator and a second Oasys punch press to its equipment list. The increased production capabilities enable Plastic Graphic Company to manufacture laminated plastic cards and other plastic items at a reduced cost and with a quicker turn time. In addition, the new equipment provides the ability to produce more than 300 million cards annually. Established in 1970, Plastic Graphic Company supplies printed plastic cards, rulers, slide charts, key tags, templates and P.O.P displays, as well as a variety of custom

0307commercialprint
March 1, 2007

Headquartered in Wauconda, Ill., Plastic Graphic Company has added a new Oasys Collater (tacking process prior to lamination), as well as a second eight-opening Burkle Laminator and a second Oasys punch press to its equipment list. The increased production capabilities enable Plastic Graphic Company to manufacture laminated plastic cards and other plastic items at a […]

Super-Size Me
February 1, 2007

“Super-sizing” may have negative connotations since the release of a certain documentary a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean everything that’s been super-sized is potentially lethal. Offering traditional form/label combinations and affixed and integrated products is a healthy way for manufacturers to expand the variety of their services and products base. Even manufacturers of integrated labels may overlook everyday uses for such products. But, as consumers, we use form/label combinations and integrated products so often, they’ve become as ubiquitous as McDonald’s signature golden arches—well, without the same level of product recognition. First developed by Gary Stewart of Trade Printers, Phoenix, in 1980, the

Leaders of the Pack
October 1, 2006

Onward and Upward for Ennis From a small, rural company serving the cotton industry to a complete printed products manufacturer with 46 production facilities, Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis has been dedicated to serving the wholesale printing industry for 96 years. The company reported more than $559 million in sales for its last fiscal year. Although that figure represents a decrease from the previous year’s $582 million, Ennis still captured the top spot in BFL&S’ manufacturers ranking for the second year in a row. At the heart of the company’s success is a strategic plan based on growth through acquisitions that fit Ennis’ existing business

Top Label & Tag Suppliers
October 1, 2006

Rank: 1 Company: Discount Labels, New Albany, Ind. Labels & Tags Sales $(000): 76,269 Total Sales $(000): 76,269 Rank: 2 Company: Label Art, Wilton, N.H. Labels & Tags Sales $(000): 47,000 Total Sales $(000): 47,000 Rank: 3 Company: Diversified Labeling Solutions, Itasca, Ill. Labels & Tags Sales $(000): 39,200 Total Sales $(000): 39,200 Rank: 4 Company: Data Label, Terre Haute, Ind. Labels & Tags Sales $(000): 33,729 Total Sales $(000): 33,729 Rank: 5 Company: Gill Studios, Shawnee Mission, Kan. Labels & Tags Sales $(000): 31,350 Total Sales $(000): 47,500 Rank: 6 Company: Lancer Label, Omaha, Neb. Labels & Tags

Ennis Maintains Top Position
October 1, 2006

Rank: 1 Company: Ennis, Midlothian, Texas Sales $(000): 559,397 Principal Officer(s): Keith Walters, Chairman, CEO, President Employees: 6,200 Locations: 42 (*Does not include sales figures for Block Graphics, acquired 08/09/06.) Rank: 2 Company: Champion Industries, Huntington, W. Va. Sales $(000): 135,000 Principal Officer(s): Marshall T. Reynolds, CEO Employees: 768 Locations: 22 Rank: 3 Company: Western States Envelope & Label, Butler, Wis. Sales $(000): 111,000 Principal Officer(s): Mark S. Lemberger, President, CEO Employees: 733 Locations: 5 Rank: 4 Company: Printegra, Peachtree City, Ga. Sales $(000): 87,706 Principal Officer(s): Casey Campbell, President, CEO Employees: 822 Locations: 14 Rank: 5 Company: PrintXcel, Montrose,

Top Commercial Print Suppliers
October 1, 2006

Rank: 1 Company: Ennis, Midlothian, Texas Commercial Print Sales $(000): 57,338 Total Sales $(000): 559,397 Rank: 2 Company: Champion Industries, Huntington, W. Va. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 54,000 Total Sales $(000): 135,000 Rank: 3 Company: Nieman Printing, Dallas Commercial Print Sales $(000): 16,417 Total Sales $(000): 22,185 Rank: 4 Company: RiteMade Paper Converters, Kansas City, Mo. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 12,000 Total Sales $(000): 40,000 Rank: 5 Company: Acculink, Greenville, N.C. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 10,068 Total Sales $(000): 10,598 Rank: 6 Company: The F.P. Horak Co., Bay City, Mich. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 7,000 Total Sales $(000): 20,000

Top 100: The best of 2006
October 1, 2006

Upon first examining this year’s Top 100 Suppliers’ sales numbers, the BFL&S staff discovered a $241 million decrease in overall sales compared with last year. This sent the team scrambling for answers. However, deeper analysis revealed a simple explanation. As our readership may have noticed, in 2004 and 2005, Quality Park, Englewood, Colo., ranked number one and two respectively on the Top 100 Suppliers list with sales peaking at $430 million. This year, the Quality Park brand no longer appears on the list at all. In years past, Quality Park consisted of six companies: DealerLabel, Discount Labels, Lancer Label, PrintXcel, Wisco and Quality Park Products.

Top Forms Suppliers
October 1, 2006

Rank: 1 Company: Ennis, Midlothian, Texas Forms Sales $(000): 233,380 Total Sales $(000): 559,397 Rank: 2 Company: PrintXcel, Montrose, Ala. Forms Sales $(000): 84,976 Total Sales $(000): 84,976 Rank: 3 Company: Printegra, Peachtree City, Ga. Forms Sales $(000): 65,780 Total Sales $(000): 87,706 Rank: 4 Company: DSFI, Addison, Ill. Forms Sales $(000): 63,650 Total Sales $(000): 67,000 Rank: 5 Company: Wise Business Forms, Alpharetta, Ga. Forms Sales $(000): 63,000 Total Sales $(000): 70,000 Rank: 6 Company: Highland Computer Forms, Hillsboro, Ohio Forms Sales $(000): 43,712 Total Sales $(000): 43,712 Rank: 7 Company: Wright Business Graphics, Portland, Ore. Forms

Free Brochure Improves Rotary Side-Seam Gumming Operations
July 1, 2006

Key variables affecting quality and consistency in rotary side-seam gumming are addressed in a new, complimentary four-page color brochure from National Adhesives, Bridgewater, N.J. The brochure explains how to avoid problems by focusing on the gum’s formulation and viscosity, various factors of the gumming machine and steady supply to the gum box. For the most effective operation, the rotary side-seam gum must retain moisture and minimize foaming. The brochure identifies the specific formulation that meets these requirements. The gum also must feature an ideal viscosity measurement—defined in the publication, along with suggestions for diluting. The brochure provides details on gum box condition, roller