Company Address:
16800 W. Ryerson Road
New Berlin, WI 53151
Company Web Site:
www.letterheadpress.com
Industry:
Graphic enhancement services
Number of employees:
More than 100
Annual revenues: $13 million
Education: Bachelor of science degree in accounting, Arizona State University
Family: Wife, Linda; daughter, Nikki; and son, Tyler.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“We do many smart things throughout the year and to name only one might not give credit to some people within our organization. I like to let our individual department heads run their own show and they all do a great job understanding that servicing our customers is our top priority. We continually strive to improve efficiencies, not only from a dollars and cents point of view, but because it is what our customers require.”
What’s new at your company?
“A new wellness program has been implemented for our employees’ health awareness and in an effort to fight spiraling health care costs.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We are always looking to hire staff in most areas of our company. We look for professionals who have solid experience and are a good fit for our culture. We also hire trainees throughout the year to mix with our veterans. Every year, we add new equipment to increase our efficiencies. Next year, we will upgrade our folding and gluing capacity, adding two high-speed pieces of equipment, one of which will achieve speeds of up to 50,000 pieces per hour. We will also look to upgrade our bookbinding area by adding a new high-speed stitcher trimmer. Over the last one and a half years, we have added over $1 million in new equipment.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Our challenges in this next year will be the same as in recent years. We continually experience market deterioration due to offshore competition. Some of our customers, whether manufacturers or end users, have lost market share or even been forced out of business as a result of this trend. We have been fortunate to continue to grow and compensate for these losses through strong sales and marketing efforts. We are always cultivating new markets and new customers. Health insurance costs continue to be difficult to manage. I am at a loss as to why these costs have spiraled out of control for so many years. If this pattern continues, within 10 years you will not see health care coverage being provided by employers as it has been.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Faster equipment, higher quality and more comprehensive customer service.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Continue to be industry leaders through creativity, innovation, building a strong business family and partnering with our customers. Our customer’s success is our success.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I look up to all those who help people who can’t help themselves.”
What was the best advice that you ever received?
“Pay off debt quickly.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your business?
“Hiring our plant manager. He makes us laugh every day.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I am very active with my family, which includes our two golden retrievers. We travel frequently, ski, golf and work out. I try to work out several times weekly and recently started Tae Kwon Do with my daughter. I love to be outside.”
