Major Business Systems

Just last year, Print+Promo's State of the Industry report addressed a big overhaul in marketplace realities. Suppliers and distributors alike finally tossed out traditional ink-on-paper models in favor of a service-based approach, creating a path for historic opportunities. Those opportunities, it turns out, came in the form of historic acquisitions.

Many businesses know the value of visual marketing to potential customers—visuals highlight a product’s functionality, aesthetics and especially potential. So the stage is set, the curtain is up and it’s time for a product exhibition. Here, companies give examples of new products, best sellers or items they are proud to showcase.

It was late 2011, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) was in trouble. Operating costs were rising almost as rapidly as mail volume was declining, and the organization was hemorrhaging money.

St. Patrick's Day just passed. But 
business forms will need more than luck to
 secure a future filled with large orders and
 soaring profits.

It's not just famous for its inner harbor and crab cakes. It's not just the backdrop of HBO's now defunct The Wire. Many know it as "Charm City," but for the printing industry it's the site of PSDA's annual Print Solutions Conference and Expo from May 24 to 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

A little change never hurt anyone. With that in mind, this year’s big show promises a change of pace, a change of scenery and a change in demand. The newly revamped PSDA (formerly DMIA) will host its annual Print Solutions Conference and Exposition on Oct. 23-25 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore. This year’s featured general session keynote speaker will be Charlie Pesko, founder and president of InfoTrends, a leading market research and consulting firm in the digital imaging and document solutions industries. Technological advances and refined marketing strategies are just some of the issues gaining momentum in a slowing economy. To encourage print

1 Ennis Headquarters: Midlothian, Texas Annual Sales $(000): 584,713 Principal Officer(s): Keith Walters, Chairman, President, CEO Employees: 6,200 Locations: 44 2 Champion Industries Headquarters: Huntington, W. Va. Annual Sales $(000): 145,188 Principal Officer(s): Marshall T. Reynolds, CEO Employees: 740 Locations: 22 3 Western States Envelope & Label Headquarters: Butler, Wis. Annual Sales $(000): 117,900 Principal Officer(s): Mark S. Lemberger, President Employees: 731 Locations: 5 4 Printegra Headquarters: Peachtree City, Ga. Annual

“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

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,

Headquartered in Hillsborough, N.C., Major Business Systems celebrated its 39th year of conducting business. At a company picnic held June 22, the following people were awarded for their outsanding service: • Darryl Moore – 39 years • Joe Bates – 33 years • Debbie Berry – 31 years • Robert Hayes – 30 years • Billy Farrish – 30 years • Gay Wilkerson – 29 years • Brink Hunt – 27 years • Robert Scarlett – 26 years • Jeff Russel – 25 years • Audrey Josey – 20 years • Janet Wheeler – 20 years • Mike Long – 20 years • Greg Corbett – 20 years • Stan Shanklin – 16 years • Steve Collins – 15 years •