Label Art

Public speaker Dale Carnegie said, “All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” To succeed in the label industry, manufacturers and distributors alike must go beyond the catchy campaigns promoting their company’s capabilities. Anton Dahbura, corporate vice president, Hub Labels, Hagerstown, Md.; Gregg Trebnick, CEO, Trebnick Systems, Springboro, Ohio and Terence M. Flaherty, president, Label Art, Wilton, N.H., do just that—their business mottos are a way of life. “Labels are everywhere and no one can afford to stand still,” Dahbura insisted. A 40-year industry veteran, Dahbura has witnessed many exciting label developments.

In a world where technology takes precedence, labels continue to reinvent themselves and thrive. The BFL&S 2003 Top 100 Distributors' survey reported that label sales rose to $247 million from $218 million in 2002—a 13.3 percent increase—and the Top 10 sold $149 million in labels and tags that year. What does this all mean for the labels industry? Suffice it to say that labels are a force to be reckoned with. In an effort to find out just what gives labels their staying power, two executives provided some much-needed insight into the profitable world of labeling. "Labels will always have a niche

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

Don't gloss over the importance of these strong sellers By Carol Katarsky Laminated labels continue to play a big role in distributors' sales. Chemical-, water- and wear-resistant, the applications for these labels are obvious—but durability isn't the only attraction the products offer. "Lamination can also be used to achieve a high gloss, which can enhance the appearance of simple items, such as business cards," noted Michael Stoeck, product marketing manager at New Century, Kansas-based Stouse. "Laminating the label lends a premium look, as compared to plain-paper labels with varnish," agreed Lynn Zima, sales and marketing supervisor, Atlas Tag & Label, Neenah, Wis. She noted that laminated labels are

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