Discount Labels

Static cling labels continue to stick as a promotional necessity. They hold fast, reposition with ease and leave no sticky residues. They are static cling labels, and they can be placed on almost any smooth, clean surface—including glass, plastic and some metals. Such traits create an attractive option for customers seeking just the right adherence for just the right application. And, according to many manufacturers, ad specialties and product promotions are just those applications. As a result, clingy labels can be found on high-exposure areas including storefronts, drive-through windows and car windshields. The latter is one of the top reasons New Albany, Indiana-based

The ubiquitous bar code label is a necessity for distributors' portfolios. While bar-coded labels are a small segment of manufacturers' bottom lines, it is important that they are not overlooked by distributors. "Bar codes are a low percentage of overall sales, but their contribution to profit is higher," said John Shanley, president of Labels West, Woodinville, Wash. As interest in the product grows and equipment prices plummet, manufacturers are seeing a spike in on-demand bar coded labels. "Today a great deal of variable printing is done by the end-user," said John Strecker, vice president of sales and marketing for Data Label, Terre

More Change Hits the Top 100 Changes in company ownership and product mix are having a dramatic effect on the industry By Bill Drennan, Maggie DeWitt & Danielle Litka Change has become the norm in the forms industry, as the past year has seen last year's top independent manufacturer by sales close its doors and directs going independent, in addition to the usual spate of mergers and acquisitions. CST/Star Products ceased operations last Spring. A few weeks later, American Tissue, a paper converting company, purchased CST/Star's assets and opened three of the eight plants as American Forms. With only a few months of operations, American Forms declined

Forms leaders speak out about the past, present and future of the industry Transcontinental Printing, Newtown, Pa., keeping up with industry needs means paying close attention to industry trends and customers' needs. "We make sure we are manufacturing the products that distributors are asking for," said Tracy Dennis, sales manager. She explained that company representatives continually talk to and meet with customers and ask where they see the industry headed. This feedback, she noted, has shown that distributors are seeking fewer continuous forms and more value-added products such as direct mail, label forms, cut sheet products, security features and commercial pieces. "We

In the battle against moisture and wear-and-tear, lamination clearly serves and protects. By Maggie DeWitt Application is the alpha and the omega of any label sale. From the top ply to the adhesive, where and how a product will be utilized determines the solution. So when your customers mention "outdoor" and "excessive handling," think laminated. Laminating film is designed to seal and protect printing ink from damage and increase its longevity. It's also used to make paper label stock weather-resistant and weather-resistant stock—such as vinyl and polyester—even more durable. Bill Bohning, president of Label Works, Mankato, Minn., explained that laminated labels typically contain static information. "Laminating film is

Distributor-only CSRs and five plants are positioned to handle distributor orders The $2.43 billion direct-selling giant of the forms industry—Moore North America, Bannockburn, Ill.—has launched a business unit geared to the independents and joined the DMIA. The new unit, called Latitudes, is based in Iowa City, Iowa. According to Dick Dennis, vice president of the Resale Channels, Latitudes is completely independent of Moore's direct-selling divisions. Rather than reporting to a vice president of sales, Dennis reports to Patrick Brong, the president of Logistics & Operations for Moore. No stranger to the independent channel, Dennis previously served as vice president of sales for Vallis

Large Distributors: Differentiate To Succeed Collateral printing and value-added services top the list of large distributorsÍ survival tools By Misty Byers In a highly-competitive industry one thing is certain„you canÍt survive if you arenÍt willing to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Successful large distributorships are meeting this challenge by increasing services and extending their product bases. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin-based Teuteberg is doing more commercial printing and ña lot more value-added services such as fulfillment and database managementî than five years ago, said Matt Teuteberg, executive vice president. ñInstead of just having forms in a clientÍs pick-and-pack program, we might include all of their literature,

Easily removable and replaceable static clings are a popular solution to a sticky problem By Eric Fiedler It DonÍt mean a thing if it ainÍt got that cling„static cling, that is. For forms distributors dabbling in promotional products, static cling labels and decals offer an ideal way help make the crossover complete. ñWe produce custom static clings in the promotional realm,î said Kathy Tucker, a customer service representative for Tucson, Arizona-based MNOP. Tucker said that her companyÍs Window Hugger static cling product has been popular for radio stations as well as school and holiday promotions. Nancy Klaar, director of marketing for Label Art, Wilton, N.H., said the marketplace

Top 20 Independent Manufacturers 1998 Rank Company Sales ($000) 1997 Rank Sales ($000) Principal Officer Employees Locations Year Founded 1 CST/Star Forms $255,000 1 235,800 William O. Nahikian, CEO 535 9 1969 2 Ennis Busines Forms $154,348 3 153,726 Keith Walters, CEO/COB 1,408 15 1909 3 *Poser $121,750 4 100,000 Dennis M. Grasso 940 15 1949 4 *TRANSKRIT $101,000 5 95,000 Jack Resnick 1,028 8 1938 5 GBF Graphics $82,700 6 87,400 Richard S. Kunz 500 6 1951 6 Adams Business Forms $65,000 9 60,000 Joe Bauman 350 3 1889 7 Datagraphics $60,473 10 58,354 John Staniforth 350 3 1889 8 * Label Art $52,203 - 58,392 Thomas Cobery 426 4 1963 9 Discount Labels $53,971 - $55,945 Allen C. Conway Sr. 665 1 1964 10 DSFI Distributor's Stock $53,000 8 $62,000 Malcolm Geffen 185 4 1979 11 Continuous Forms and Checks $48,500 13 49,910 Bob Lenox 435 10 1982 12 Calibrated Forms $46,175 16 45,152 Bill Amyx 320 1 1985 13 Northstar Computer Forms $43,000 15 46,200 Kenneth Overstreet 500 6 1962 14 Sovereign Business Forms $39,204 36 23,606 Donald D. Patteson 421 8 1962 15 Wright Business Graphics $38,813 20 37,507 Jim Wright 275 6 1971 16 Rittenhouse Label Media $38,236 - $38,000 Tom Pagel 125 3 1915 17 ELT $38,000 - 16,800 Tim Wright 150 25 1987 18 United Computer Supplies $37,500 18 $38,700 Jack Zimmerman 128 3 1984 19 Data Label $36,383 22 36,131 Geroge Snyder 180 5 1980 20 Highland Computer Forms $36,151 21 36,290 Philip D. Wilson 108 4 1979 For a complete list of the "Top 100 Independent Manufacturers," read the Oct. 20 issue of Business Forms, Labels & Systems. Subscribe by clicking on the "How to Subscribe" link below.

Overcoat protects labels from the elements By Erik Cagle There is no mystery concerning the need for and uses of laminated labels. A laminated label provides protection from the elements. Not using one can produce less-than-favorable results. Allen Conway, president of Discount Labels, New Albany, Ind., said he feels that there has been steady growth for all labels and foresees continued success, particularly for laminated labels. "With laminated labels, you have a better chance of having repeat business through the years," he said. Lamination is an added coat of protection for labels. A label that comes into contact with substances that could erode it or deteriorate it needs