Address: 9000 W. Heather Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53224
Website: www.olympusgrp.com
Year founded: 1893
Product or service offered: Custom printing and sewing specializing in large format digital and dye-sublimation printing. Mascot division combines our unique in-house printing and sewing capabilities to create some of the world’s most iconic mascot costumes.
Projected 2012 revenue: $22 million
Leadership: Brian Adam, president
Target clientele: Anyone looking to promote a brand through custom printed graphics or mascot costumes. Retailers, event/exhibit companies, amusement parks, restaurants, sports teams, universities, advertising agencies, event marketers.
Business organization memberships: Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, Advertising Specialty Institute, Promotional Product Association International, Young President’s Organization.
What has fueled your company’s growth? “As a domestic manufacturer, we have tried to focus on markets and areas where we can add value – unique projects, quick turns, high quality graphics. Our success is driven completely by a wonderful team of 135 employees who share the same vision and mentality of doing whatever it takes to get the job done and to get it done right.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth? “Economic uncertainty – we feel many companies are being very conservative with any investment in marketing/promotional items. The partisan politics exhibited by both parties is not helping.”
Do you plan any changes in your company in the upcoming months? “We are looking at adding additional 10,000 sq ft of manufacturing space. We will continue to add staff to help us manage the additional business. We’ve added about 30 employees in the last 6 months and I would expect to add another 10-20 in the next 6 to 9 months. We’ve plan to invest between $500,000 – $1,000,000 in new equipment and technology in the next 6 months.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? And what traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them? “Any business leader who gives back to the community and truly cares about their employees – there’s probably too many great ones to list.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months? “We expect the economy to continue growing for the rest of 2012 and into 2013. We are aggressively investing in growth in key markets.”
What is your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession? “In our industry the recession ended in 2010 and our markets have been in growth mode since then. We are going to continue to invest in technology and equipment that positions us well and allows us to add value to the products we produce.”
