Ennis

The trick is to identify key markets and then add value through service and related products. It may have seen its heyday come and go but, according to many, continuous product is still a viable profit center for distributors. The key is in paying attention to where and how it's used. For most manufacturers, sales volume on continuous is stagnant or suffering a slight decline, but they say that's no reason to write off this traditional product. "Our overall sales are solid for the past three years, though the percentage of continuous in our sales volume is down, but it's still a majority of

Keith S. Walters, chairman, president and CEO of Ennis Business Forms, Midlothian, Texas, recently announced that the company's board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15-1/2 cents a share on its common stock. The dividend is payable Aug. 2 to shareholders of record on July 15. In addition, shareholders have approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation—changing the name of the company to Ennis, Inc., effective immediately. Said Walters, "The name change will project the correct image of the company as a broader organization that operates well beyond a basic business forms business." Ennis

From dealerships to body shops, distributors can fuel their business tanks for years to come. After speaking with a few forms manufacturers who have produced goods for the automotive market, it became clear that distributors who are not seriously targeting this industry may want to release their brakes and pull up for a better look. From dealerships and body shops to rental companies, auto retailers and the highway patrol, distributors can easily find a significant amount of sales that will, in most cases, become repeat orders and provide business for years to come. In fact, Ken Gundersen, CEO of Forms Pro, Madison, Wis., reported

Ennis Business Forms recently introduced its 2004 Advertising Concepts catalog, which offers more products than ever before.   Each year, Ennis, DeSoto, Texas, selects the trendiest and most popular promotional products in the industry to showcase in the catalog. The newly expanded, 36-page catalog offers an assortment of items for every business. New additions to this year's catalog include die-cut 3M Post-it Notes, business card magnets, BIC pencils and pens, stand-up staplers, clipboards, sunburst gel mousepads and a host of other items. The catalog serves as a complete selling tool for distributors through Ennis' Cooperative Marketing Program, which allows

Online ordering, online proofing and variable data bring newness to commercial printing products. Identifying what is new in the commercial printing arena can be a difficult task. As a product niche that covers everything from splashy marketing brochures and booklets to image-heavy point-of-purchase displays and postcards, commercial printing is typically versatile and often looks new with every application. But, there is a significant change occurring in commercial printing that brings newness to high-quality product production. Quick and Easy According to Terry Richards, president of Victor Printing, Sharon, Pa., the newest trends in commercial printing products are how they're ordered, how they're proofed

Ennis Business Forms has appointed Steve Reifel to general manager of its Houston facility. Prior to his recent promotion, Reifel has spent almost five years at Ennis in various positions, including maintenance supervisor, imprint production supervisor, continuous press room supervisor, and safety, cost savings and special projects manager. "We have complete confidence that under Steve's guidance and leadership the Houston facility is certain to advance and grow within their region," said Business Unit Director Brian Thorpe in a company press release. In other news, Ennis Business Forms was named one of Forbes magazine's "200 Best Small Companies." In Forbes' October 27, 2003 issue, Ennis was ranked

Despite a tight year, future indications look hopeful for printed products. Transcontinental is no longer reporting its sales in the independent segment of the printed products industry. The company's departure cuts the Top 100 revenue figures almost in half. Removing Transcontinental's sales of $2 billion from last year's numbers shows a drop in Top 100 sales of three percent or $90 million to $2.78 billion. But, Transcontinental is not the only change in this year's Top 100 Manufacturers list. Calibrated Forms is now part of Ennis Business Forms, propelling Ennis to the top of the charts with sales of $240.8 million, just ahead

To no one's surprise, the makeup of the industry continues to change. Crabar bought GBF Graphics, Inc. Ennis bought Calibrated Forms. Large companies are acquiring large companies. And, this trend will probably continue, as large companies with cash to spend look for ways to keep growing. Large printed products manufacturers will continue to acquire companies with compatible product lines to improve economies of scale. They will also diversify into other fields. Another way to improve economies of scale is to band together into buying groups. UnigraphicsUSA (see accompanying article on page 8) consists of nine industry suppliers that want to improve bargaining power for raw

The Coshocton, Ohio facility of Ennis Business Forms has expanded its printing capabilities by adding cut sheets to its product line. The addition of a two-color Harris Web Press allows the Coshocton plant to produce one- and two-color 81⁄2x11˝ laser forms. The company has also implemented a fixed rate freight program for the Ohio region, which provides distributors with a competitive edge to enhance sales of cut sheet forms. Ennis Business Forms' Chatham, Virginia facility is also growing with the addition of the Dijit 5120 Printing System. Ideal for bar coding and numbering continuous forms and unit sets, the new digital printer features a print

Quality, service and sound strategic planning put these suppliers on top. Rising from third place in last year's BFL&S Top 100 Manufacturers list, Ennis Business Forms, DeSoto, Texas, has achieved top honors this year. The successful company reported $240.8 million in sales for the latest fiscal year completed. When asked about the company's formula for success, Keith Walters, president and CEO, said that a combination of tried-and-true principles coupled with new ideas and acquisitions have proven to be the winning ticket. "Ennis continues to concentrate on basics, including customer service, cost control and e-commerce developments," Walters said. He also identified the integration of