LOCATION: 300 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee
WEB SITE: www.firstedgesolutions.com
YEAR FOUNDED: 2003
PRODUCT OR SERVICE OFFERED: Single source print communications and document management.
PROJECTED 2006 REVENUE: Not Disclosed.
LEADERSHIP TEAM: Robert Kraft – President and CEO Randy Schmidt – Director of operations Lisa Sanregret – CFO Jeff Mazurczak – Sales and mktg. VP
TARGET CLIENTELE: Any organization with customized print and mailing needs. Small and Mid-size companies through Fortune 500’s.
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS: MMAC; NFIB; GATF
WHAT HAS FUELED YOUR COMPANY’S GROWTH? Aggressive sales plan, strong back-end operations, strict financial management, and acquisition.
DO YOU PLAN ANY CHANGES IN YOUR COMPANY IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS? We are pursuing a new building as we have outgrown our current facility. The Valley is a potential option depending on the process; we are keeping our eyes and ears open for all opportunities to find the right long-term fit for First Edge Solutions.
WHO ARE THE BUSINESS PEOPLE, LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY, WHOM YOU ADMIRE? AND WHAT TRAITS DO THOSE PEOPLE EXHIBIT THAT MAKE YOU ADMIRE THEM? My father, Robert W. Kraft (Bob), who just sold his company Openfirst to Quad/Graphics to operate as a subsidiary of Quad. My father has never quit on anything and is as competitive as anyone I’ve met in my life. Truly a great man, father and leader. My mother is just as much a part of that success because without her strength, we never could have endured all of the ups and downs. Keith Miller of M Barrington here in Milwaukee has been a huge supporter and mentor of mine as well. He is the king of people…he knows everyone and knows how to get things done. On the sales side, Donald Trump. That man can flat out sell. He is passionate about what he does. Jack Welch. The turn-around he drove at GE was awesome. He was a visionary and he executed. That’s an unbelievable combination.
WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK FOR THE BUSINESS CONDITIONS OF YOUR INDUSTRY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS? Very good. Although some like to knock printing, it is here to stay…we have embraced technology and the changes it has driven in our industry are very good. I love efficiency, I love automation, which all drive productivity. The significant investments we have made over the last 3 years have proven to us that our clientele are looking for the best value out there. We fit that bill through our single source delivery of dat management, printing, mailing, and fulfillment/delivery solutions. We work hard to understand what the market is asking for, and we are in a very good position to answer their needs. We are very bullish on our future.
Congratulations from these strategic partners:
