Consolidated Graphics: The Value We Create

2012: Print is here to stay

2012-02-09T07:54:00.001-08:00

We’re well into a new calendar year, an appropriate time to step back and assess where our industry has traveled the previous 12 months – and share observations for what to anticipate in 2012. From conversations with the Consolidated Graphics executive team, major industry influencers, and our customers, who represent marketers and print procurement professionals from Fortune 500 companies across the nation, here is what we’ve gathered:

The print industry remains a highly fragmented, $50 billion industry. The commercial printing industry in the U.S. includes around 35,000 companies in total. As a ”Top 10” commercial printer in terms of revenues, Consolidated Graphics is unique in its ability to offer a full suite of print and technology capabilities and a national presence. The majority of printers operate one production plant, employ fewer than 20 people, and have annual revenue under $5 million.

Technology is becoming more integrated in print. From data management to web2print, computer power and digital media are playing a much larger role within the print industry. Leading print companies must invest significant capital in cutting-edge technology, and also commit to educating customers on how to maximize their marketing efforts through new capabilities.

Digital is merging with physical. It’s no longer a question of “which is better: digital or print?” Now, digital and print communications experts are working together to create integrated marketing materials. At Consolidated Graphics, we’re utilizing technology like the Sony eBridge Arc, personalized URLs, QR codes and much, much more to link print to the online world. The secret to engaging customers across platforms changes every day, and we have partnered with some of the greatest minds in technology to ensure that we’re providing customers with the solutions they need.

Security has been heightened. With so much data to deal with, and so much more industry regulation occurring, printers have to learn how to properly manage their customers’ data. Everyday, we deal with sensitive information that requires maximum protection and sophisticated systems of checks and balances. As a result, we’re making investments in human resources, like the addition of a Chief Information Security Officer, technology and our multi-million dollar data center, all of which are intended to protect our customers’ most valuable assets.

Print has transformed from manufacturing to service. We learned this lesson some time ago, but it’s becoming more and more important to customers. As with most industries, we’re in an age of doing more with less, and customers are relying on their print suppliers to provide streamlined solutions to their business challenges. The companies that bring the best solutions to their customers are the ones that are succeeding over the long haul.

Clearly the evolution of print will continue in the year ahead, morphing from a standard form of communication to a premium marketing application that fully engages consumers, given its tactile nature. We’re keeping our eye on what the end customer ultimately demands and how that impacts the marketing efforts of companies around the globe, because at the end of the day, if consumers are responding, the industry succeeds.

Getting a job in the print industry

2012-01-26T11:53:00.000-08:00

Navigating today’s tight job market is almost a job within itself. As any astute job seeker knows, searching for the ideal position requires patience, persistence and hard work; however, seasoned professionals and recent graduates alike often tend to rush into the process, failing to adequately prepare for an interview and end up disappointed and stressed.

Following these essential do’s and don’ts will bring you one step closer to tackling the market and landing a position in print.

Do:

+Reach out through networking.

Networking should become part of your career-related endeavors. When it comes to the hiring process, recruiters turn first to their own networks. You may not be searching now, but fostering valuable relationships with clients and colleagues can lead to referrals in the future. Organizations like Printing Industries of America or the National Association of PrintingLeadership can assist in developing a solid foundation from which your network can grow.

+Develop your personal brand.

Your personal brand is your reputation and the value you possess. It’s the identity you use to market yourself to companies. Google yourself, just as a recruiter might do. Do the search results represent you well? Communicating your personal brand consistently across all channels and touch points will help you set your own reputation and establish a strong presence.

+Build your experience.

Standing out as an ideal candidate takes a little more effort than just joining networking and professional organizations. Employers seek candidates who are actively involved in organizations and invest time in learning more about industry trends and opportunities.

Contributing to industry growth by mentoring and taking the initiative to finding new solutions to industry challenges will help you set yourself apart in the print industry. Learning new skills, specializing in a certain area or niche, and focusing on technology, social media, and integrated marketing campaigns—not just ink on paper—will also give you a leg up against the competition.

+Brush up your resume and social media profiles.

Keeping both your resume and social media profiles current are crucial. You don’t want to portray yourself as “stale,” but rather as an evolving entity.

Mistakes are all too common when creating a resume. List accurate, specific information in chronological order and zero in on aspects such as the client mix, sales volumes, industry awards and honors, year-over-year growth rates, skills, programs and equipment used and other areas in which you were successful. Limit it to one to two pages and allow someone to proofread it to ensure there are no grammatical errors.

+Research and practice.

There is truth to the old adage that practice makes perfect. Research the company you are interested in applying. Know the specialties of the company and the equipment it currently uses. Don’t exaggerate in the interview; instead sell yourself with your strengths and the value in which you can bring to the company.

Don’t:

+Bad-mouth past employers.

Bad-mouthing past employers only reflects negatively on the candidate and shows a lack of maturity and professionalism. Resist the urge to do so and focus on the positives versus the negatives. Potential employers are looking to hire someone who is an organizational fit and being spiteful will risk your chances of success.

+Be unrealistic.

Present the skills you have. Potential employers understand that recent graduates and entry-level candidates do not possess the same magnitude of skills that a career veteran does. However, employers do value ambition and an eagerness to learn and grow.

+Be nervous.

You know yourself and what you are capable of better than anyone else, and there is no reason to be nervous for an interview. Just remember to dress professionally and neatly and arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Bring your resume, references and a list of questions about the direction of the company and the role for which you are interviewing.

Treat each interview as a unique, personal meeting with value, preparing for the experience in as much detail as possible. This is your chance to sell yourself to a company as though you are selling a product to a client.

Political Campaign Printing Expected to Increase in 2012 Election Year

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

[photo courtesy of Flickr.com]

As the 2012 election cycle draws near, our printing companies specializing in political campaign printing are gearing up for one of the busiest, most productive seasons yet. With President Obama’s campaign expected to raise an unprecedented $1 billion, and total fundraising to exceed $6 billion (over $700 million more than in 2008), candidates are proving that in spite of a tight economy, funding can be found.

For Consolidated Graphics, this means an increased reliance on new technologies and effective communications capabilities to meet anticipated demand for printed campaign material. Russell Price, President of Mt. Vernon Printing, explains that during election season, 80 to 85 percent of the printed campaign volume will be produced within a six-week period focused around the November election. “We usually get extremely busy around September through the last week of October, peaking our production in the final two weeks before the election. It’s a lot of work in a short amount of time, with fast turnarounds.”

Overall volume during election years has seen increases over the past decade, and that trend is expected to continue with next year’s election. “Candidates are raising much more money than they did before and spending more on their campaigns in general,” Price says.

Even though social networks have become popular conduits for broadcasting campaign messages, political candidates and consultants continue to rely on direct mail. Highlighting the validity of both digital and print communications, many election campaigns are now including QR codes and links to social media sites on direct mail to better engage voters.

The most common types of mailers seen in political campaigns are, in order of volume: persuasion mail, fundraising mail, and ballots. The majority of mail printed at Mt. Vernon is persuasion mail, or collateral focused on persuading voters to vote for a particular candidate based on specific positions. These pieces are typically oversized full color postcards or brochures with simple, direct messaging, created with the purpose of catching voters’ attention as they are skimming through their mail. “Most readers review these mailers on the walk from mailbox to trash can, so you have to catch their attention during this short window in order to maximize effectiveness,” says Price.

Some mailers are pretty innovative when it comes to grabbing recipients’ attention. According to Price, a good example of this was a direct mail piece with a sound chip embedded inside, produced by Eagle Press, a fellow Consolidated Graphics company in Sacramento, California.

While printing for the presidential campaign will remain a large focus next year, it’s not Consolidated Graphics’ only forte in this space. It works with political consultants on campaigns of all types and sizes, from presidential to school board elections, providing insight and expertise throughout all stages of collateral production.

UPDATE: See PrintWeek's feature on political campaign printing, featuring CGX's Russell Price.

Veritas Celebrates Investment in Customers

2011-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

There was quite a buzz on Thursday at Veritas Document Solutions, a CGX company in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, located just outside of Chicago. The main attraction was a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the recent installation of an HP T200 Color Inkjet Web press. You can read more details about the benefits of this cutting-edge technology here, but what is really special about this particular technology is that it's the first inkjet web press designed with the direct marketing needs of commercial markets in mind. At Veritas, prime customers will come from verticals such as healthcare, finance, insurance and gaming/casinos. The possibilities of what can be accomplished with the T200 are limitless, considering it provides high-volume, variable data print capabilities at a competitive price point and at very fast speeds. For example, a single HP T200 can produce 872 four-color pages per minute. Now the only limitation that Veritas and Consolidated Graphics customers will face is the creativity of their campaigns.

The open house event included customers, suppliers, print executives and prospects interested in learning more about HP’s latest development. Veritas President Michelle Steinberg welcomed guests and reiterated the company's commitment to provide customers with the latest technology to support their businesses. "We clearly state our commitment to technology in our contracts with customers," Steinberg said, "and the HP T200 is evidence of that commitment. Our focus is now on educating them on the possibilities of this technology and showcasing the relevant communications they can create for their target audiences." Veritas and HP hosted breakout sessions that detailed the possibilities of the new equipment, and follow-up meetings will be hosted at Veritas in the weeks ahead.

"The inkjet web press is a disruptive technology that is enabling companies to communicate more personally with their customers." - Ric Davis, Executive Vice President, Purchasing and Operations, Consolidated Graphics

"It's exciting to have such powerful technology and capabilities behind your platform. Consolidated Graphics can offer any service offering to their customers." - Tom Brooker, President, GPA

"Hewlett-Packard is pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and is responding to the needs of Consolidated Graphics' customers." - Aurelio Maruggi, Vice President and General Manager, Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions Division, Hewlett-Packard

"We clearly state our commitment to technology in our contracts with customers, and the HP T200 is evidence of that commitment." - Michelle Steinberg, President, Veritas Document Solutions

2011 Annual Shareholders Meeting

2011-08-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Chief Financial Officer Jon Biro

Last week was the 2011 Consolidated Graphics Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, and as always it was quite an event. The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston was filled with guests, including shareholders, Leadership Development Program (LDP) Associates (CGX’s youngest and brightest talent); John Sabel, Executive Vice President of Motion Picture Creative Print for Walt Disney Studios; the Consolidated Graphics Executive Team and Board of Directors, bankers, lawyers, CGX company presidents and more. It was clear that Consolidated Graphics has a solid team supporting our success.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe R. Davis kicked off the night with a warm welcome. Not surprisingly, technology was a major focus of the evening, from Chief Financial Officer Jon Biro’s discussion on recent and future investments, to Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Aaron Grohs’ overview of major events and product and service developments happening within the company. Investors and guests were able to see the benefits of WorkSmart Suite™, CGX’s newly-launched collection of technology products available to customers, and learn first-hand about the level 4 security rating on the company’s brand new data center, which opened earlier this summer.

CGX continues to show significant growth in a challenging economy, showing 6% revenue growth for a total of $1.054 billion and adjusted operating income up 61%. When it seems as though nobody is hiring, we most definitely are, as we continue our search for talented company presidents and bring on 215 college graduates.

The remainder of the year looks encouraging, as political printing will bring in new profits, acquisition opportunities abound, and digital sales, which currently account for 17% of CGX’s revenues, continue to grow.

Packaging In The Retail Space

2011-08-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

A consumer’s impression of a product inside a store begins with its packaging. The consumer reads, visualizes, feels and handles packaging before getting to the desired product, all the while building up a sense of anticipation around the product itself. Clearly, packaging differentiates a product on the shelf and ultimately contributes to consumers’ purchasing decisions.

At Consolidated Graphics, our packaging experts work with customers around the country, across all market segments, to assist them in creating effective packaging that makes a positive impression in the retail environment. Here are a few guidelines to help you create a strong presence through packaging:

Keep Your Brand Unique

A well-designed functional package influences customer perceptions and purchasing decisions considerably in the retail environment. Packaging should align with existing sales collateral and brand positioning, while helping a product stand out on the shelf.

Like other marketing elements, packaging is a communication channel that informs consumers whether a product is low or high quality, expensive or inexpensive, meant for you or meant for someone else. The shape, color and design of the package are important factors in drawing consumers toward a product and communicating the features and benefits of that product.

While you want to create a unique presence on the retail shelf or online, it’s important to keep in mind standard perceptions. Children’s toys, for example, often call for brighter colors, while executive office supplies may merit deep, rich colors. Find a way to work within these standards, but still set your products apart from the rest.

Be Safe, but Inviting

Ultimately, packaging serves as protection for the product while in transit, on store shelves, and sometimes for long-term use. That said, the container itself should also be durable enough to withstand damage, as many shoppers will push a bent, torn, or broken package aside in search of a perfect one.

It’s a fine line, however, between durability and impossibility. Just about everyone has wrestled with – and been frustrated by – those plastic electronics packages that require scissors or knives to open. Be aware of your end customer and ultimate product use, and consider the entire customer experience when designing your packaging.

Remember The Inside

The interior design of a package is often overlooked, but is an integral aspect of packaging and impacts consumer perception. Have you ever opened a box just to find cheap Styrofoam that is easily broken down inside? Packaging does not end at the exterior of the package, as consumer perceptions and brand building continue with how the item is housed within the exterior facing carton.

There are a variety of interior packaging materials such as molded pulp, partitions, foam, and thermoform packaging, all of which contribute to the consumer experience and perceived product value. Even heavier paper substrates can be die cut and folded to create a protective interior, while at the same time providing additional print space for brand messages and identity.

Consider the Environment

Many consumers consider environmental impact when making a purchase decision, and want to support products and companies with environmentally friendly practices. In fact, nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers say they check the packaging labels as a source for environmental information about a product. Effective communication of the sustainable aspects of the product, the packaging itself, and the company can impact a consumer’s brand choice.

Through An Associates Eyes

2011-07-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Dalyn Winter entered the CGX Leadership Development Program in September 2009. Dalyn graduated from the University of Florida in May 2009 with a degree in Advertising. She is currently an Associate working with Graphcom, a Consolidated Graphics company in Atlanta, GA.

I’m currently a second-year Associate in Consolidated Graphics’ Leadership Development Program and hold the position of Graphcom’s intercompany sales representative. In this capacity, I work directly with both our sister companies and internal personnel. I’m responsible for writing up quote requests for current and potential clients, which are then forwarded to our estimators for pricing. Once finalized, I then submit the estimate back to the sister company.

From the outside this might seem to be a simple process, but each quote is different and often requires multiple revisions and updates -- which has helped me understand the importance of details. No matter how small they appear, these details can make a great impact on the final project. Some of the challenges I face in this role include quick deadlines or a layout change, which has taught me to anticipate -- or even expect -- a possible obstacle to overcome. My number one priority is to ensure each job is not only on schedule, but also accurate. This can only be done through preparation and attention to detail – something I have learned in my experience as an Associate.

Like many LDP Associates, my responsibilities vary as I continue to rotate throughout the company, learning each process of the business. Some of the additional duties I perform at Graphcom range from organizing incoming and outgoing inventory in the warehouse to presenting CrossMedia opportunities, and a variety of tasks that fall in between. Being exposed to the entire business allows me to further understand how each area fits together as one, resulting in a great product.

As an Associate, I’ve learned that flexibility and time management are essential to thrive in the printing industry. The commercial printing process operates with “real time” deadlines and therefore it’s crucial to be effective at multitasking, often moving from one job to the next without missing a beat.

Additionally, this past fall I became Graphcom’s LDP Recruitment and Onboarding Coordinator, where I work closely with CGX’s LDP team while also reaching out to future Associate candidates. In this role I attend campus career fairs and serve as Graphcom’s point of contact for all potential LDP Associates and CGX’s LDP team. It is my responsibility to reach out to potential candidates within 48 hours of receiving their resume, organize on-site interviews for all LDP candidates and communicate interview status updates. Recruiting is only the first step in this process. Once a candidate accepts the offer, the next course of action is to complete the onboarding process and ensure all is in order prior to the new Associate’s first day of work. As someone who was recently in the same position as current college students, it’s rewarding to work with them and expose them to the great opportunities available at CGX.

My career at CGX is providing me with an experience in a wide variety of duties, and each responsibility brings with it its own challenges and learned experiences. I’ve been given the chance to learn first-hand from Graphcom and CGX team members, which has been invaluable. I welcome the opportunity to learn even more about the print industry and all that CGX has to offer its customers!

Jim Cohen Keynote Speaker

2011-06-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

Jim Cohen, Executive Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, here at Consolidated Graphics, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at this summer’s Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) Summer Conference to be held July 19-21 at the Hilton Chicago.

The theme of the conference is “Heating Up: M&A on the Rise,” and will focus on today’s merger and acquisition environment. There will be more than 400 attendees at the conference, including intermediaries, private equity sources, strategic and mezzanine investors, attorneys, CPAs, and other M&A professionals.

Cohen will be speaking on July 20th at 8:10 a.m, and will address why Consolidated Graphics’ approach to acquisitions is both unique and highly successful.

To read more about where Cohen will be giving his keynote presentation, visit the conference blog.

Emerge™ 2011 a Smashing Success

2011-06-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

This year’s emerge conference in Dallas, Texas was a rousing success, enabling CGX customers, business executives, print leaders, and equipment and technology developers to come together to share the latest marketing and technology innovations that are positioning companies for success. From personalized conference materials to grand format floor coverings, the Hyatt Regency in downtown Dallas was transformed with the presence of emerge. With nearly 1,000 attendees, this year’s conference was full of highlights, including:

• Keynote speakers Eileen Gittins (Founder and CEO, Blurb), John Sabel (Executive Vice President, Motion Picture Creative Print Marketing, Walt Disney Studios), Jamey Rootes (President, Houston Texans), and Don Pettit (Chairman and CEO, Mally Beauty),
• The announcement of CGX’s new cloud computing data center and WorkSmart Suite™ collection of marketing solutions,
• The announcement of the 1st Annual Encore™Award winners,
• 49 educational breakout sessions for attendees to learn and exchange ideas,
• The business expo, which gave attendees the opportunity to see the excellent work being done by CGX companies, suppliers and customers, and
• A live demonstration of Adobe’s Creative Suite 5.5.

And who could forget the party at Cowboys Stadium for all attendees? Conference guests had the opportunity to see this world-renowned stadium up close and take part in a wide selection of football games to show off their athletic ability on the same field as professional NFL players.

All of the keynote speakers gave attendees great advice and takeaways from their speeches. For example, Eileen Gittins stated that “taking something to print means that it matters,” and Jamey Rootes told the audience “you should push yourself to the limits, and if you’re not then you aren’t doing your job to the best of your ability.” Each speaker gave his or her own perspective about what it takes to be successful in business.

“Emerge is a great event that helps move print forward, giving people from all over the opportunity to come together and share experiences and expertise with each other,” stated Aaron Grohs, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Consolidated Graphics.

Next year’s emerge conference will take place in New Orleans, April 17-20, 2012.

For a comprehensive news report about the event, visit WhatTheyThink.

CDS Publications Brings a Little Bit of Royalty to Consolidated Graphics

2011-04-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

With the world captivated by the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, we’re pleased to announce that CDS Publications, a Consolidated Graphics company, was a part of it. Well, maybe not on the ground in London, but in the world of comics they were.

CDS Publications, which is located in Medford, OR, produced Bluewater Productions’ latest comic book, “Fame: The Royals.” The comic book delves into many aspects of the lives of Great Britain’s royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, from their wedding planning and dress possibilities, to where they might choose to honeymoon.

“Fame: The Royals” was released to the public in April. CDS Publications also printed a limited release collector’s edition, which is a 40-page soft-cover perfect bound book. The collector’s edition will be available to the public in May.

LDP Achieves Record-Breaking Growth

2011-04-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

At Consolidated Graphics we understand that professional development is the key not only to our success, but also to our team members’ success as well. And that’s why our CEO, Joe Davis, created the Leadership Development Program (LDP).

In 1991, the first Leadership Development Program was founded with a handful of “Associates” participating in the program. Flash forward 19 years, and a record 100 Associates were enrolled during the 2010 summer session, with an additional 81 added to the roster the following fall. More than 450 participants have graduated from the program over the years – with 22 former Associates now serving in the capacity of President of a Consolidated Graphics company.

“The Leadership Development Program plays an integral and invaluable role at CGX,” said Rody Grant, director of Recruiting, Training, & Development at Consolidated Graphics. “We give Associates a hands-on opportunity to learn every aspect of the commercial printing process. Once they finish the Leadership Development Program, Associates are well prepared to begin a specific career track with the tools CGX has provided them.”

Once Associates enter the Program, they have the opportunity to learn from management teams across Consolidated Graphics. Each Associate rotates through all aspects of the business, from production to leadership training. Upon completion of the Program they choose a position within a CGX company that best fits their interests and skills.

We continue to recruit the best and the brightest for the LDP. We’re visiting more than 50 campuses across the country and we look forward to seeing who will join our next group of future Consolidated Graphics leaders!

Ironwood And Heritage Merge Together

2011-04-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ironwood Lithographers and Heritage Graphics, two CGX companies located in the Phoenix, AZ, area, have merged into one great graphic communications company that will operate under the Ironwood Lithographers name. Together , the two profitable companies will provide an even greater range of services to their clients.

Heritage Graphics brings a successful track record and stellar reputation to the Ironwood operation, and with Ironwood’s centralized location in Tempe and the backing of Consolidated Graphics, the merger will make the company a formidable competitor in the Southwest region.

For more information, please read the press release.

Cyril-Scott Implements ReadSmart Technology

2011-04-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

When mail arrives, most consumers go through a quick process of dividing the contents into two piles: one to read, and one to recycle. Cyril-Scott, a Consolidated Graphics company based in Lancaster, Ohio, is working hard to make sure that more mail falls into that “read” pile, but now they’re taking it one step further, helping their customers’ audiences actually respond to what they receive and read. How are they doing it? With ReadSmart technology.

ReadSmart is a software tool based on scientific research that improves typesetting by subtly emphasizing words and phrases for the reader’s eye, creating a greater impact during reading. These subtle changes range from the spacing of letters and words to lines break within text. While these might be small changes that go unnoticed to the typical reader, by serving to energizing copy they make a large impact with respect to reader comprehension.

Cyril-Scott began offering ReadSmart to its customers this past October. The technology has allowed their clients, whether it’s through a direct mail campaign or other print materials that require a response from consumers, to receive increased feedback and retention.

“At Cyril-Scott we’re always looking to new innovations and breakthroughs that will improve the product for our clients,” said Matt Coltharp, president of Cyril-Scott. “ReadSmart underscore our commitment in using the most effective technology to improve results, and serves as a great value-add for our clients and their campaigns.”

Consolidated Graphics Leads the Industry in Financial Strength

2011-04-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

In our most recent earnings release on February 2, 2011 Consolidated Graphics once again demonstrated industry leadership in terms of innovation and financial strength. We met with Jon Biro, chief financial officer of Consolidated Graphics, to talk about what this means to our customers and investors.

Consolidated Graphics will continue to invest in new technology. “Technology is advancing faster than ever before, and has become an integral component to creating more relevant print collateral. From data security to a world-leading digital infrastructure, Consolidated Graphics will continue to expand the breadth and quality of its service offerings. We’ve invested over $100 million into technology over the last four years, including building the world’s largest digital print platform. We’re seeing a huge benefit from this investment in terms of digital sales growth, and have the financial wherewithal to maintain this leadership position as technology evolves.”

We have staying power. “At a time when many smaller print companies are struggling financially, CGX has shown that we’re here to stay. Both customers and investors can take comfort in the fact that we are continuing to grow, both organically and through acquisitions.”

We are positioned to grow. “CGX maintains solid relationships with our bank group, and has immediate access to capital. When a business acquisition opportunity presents itself, as it often does, we’re positioned to act quickly and pay cash to acquire a company that has proven to be a strategic fit.”

Biro believes that Consolidated Graphics is making investments in the right technologies, at the right time. “We saw 24% growth in digital printing, greater access to national clients with higher transaction volumes, and solid same-store sales growth in fiscal year 2011. We have dramatically less debt than we did three years ago, and we maintain our commitment to bringing the most effective and highest value print solutions to our customers.”

GraphTec Receives the Prestigious Best In Show Award from PGAMA

2011-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Pictured from left to right: GraphTec team members Rob Dauses, Russ Hewitt, Rich Day

We’re pleased to announce that GraphTec, a Consolidated Graphics company located in Jessup, MD, has received the Best In Show Award in the 7^th Annual PGAMA Excellence In Print Awards Competition. This is the second consecutive year GraphTec has been recognized with this honor!

The award was presented to Russ Hewitt, president of Graphtec, at PGAMA’s Excellence in Print Awards Gala on March 22, at Martin's West in Baltimore, MD. In addition, the GraphTec team was also awarded six Best of Category Awards for Packaging & Point of Purchase Material, Sales Campaigns, Catalogs, Books (Digital), Announcements & Invitations (Digital), and also won in the Impossible Job category. The company received 10 additional Awards of Merit.

Everyone at Consolidated Graphics would like to extend our congratulations to the GraphTec team!

Finalists for the Encore™ Awards Announced

2011-03-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

We want to congratulate all the finalists of the first annual Encore Awards. The awards are a new component of emerge™ and were created to recognize the innovative ideas of Consolidated Graphics’ customers. All of the finalists are very talented and deserving of the accolades they receive. We would also be remiss if we didn’t thank the independent panel of judges, who reviewed more than 500 innovative submissions to select our finalists. They did an outstanding job!

The finalists’ entries will be displayed throughout the emerge conference in Dallas, TX, May 17-20, with attendees casting votes for the People’s Encore Award. Encore Award winners and the People’s Encore Award will be announced on May 18 at the Encore Awards gala.

To see a list of all the winners and additional information, please read the press release.

CDS Goes to Sundance

2011-02-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

The Sundance Festival is the center of the film industry every year, and this year CDS Publications, one of Consolidated Graphics' digital printing hubs, was selected as the festival's official printer.

As the vendor of choice, CDS processed 465 files for a total of 689 high quality products, meeting strict deadlines and order specifications. All of the files were received, color-managed, printed, finished, kitted and shipped during a six-week window, with over 200 files being completed in under a week. Deliverables ranged from outdoor banners to fabric wall graphics.

"We did a walk-through and were thrilled with both the quality and color of everything, and I'm getting glowing reviews from the installers about how organized everything is," said one Sundance staff member.

What great work by the CDS team! With the eyes of the film world on Sundance, CDS made sure they saw the very best. It’s no surprise that CDS will be supporting the 2012 Sundance Festival for their grand format print and service needs.

CGX Publishing Solutions Collaborates with EYC for Enhanced Personalization

2011-02-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

We’re please to announce CGX Publishing Solutions, a development group of Consolidated Graphics, has
agreed to collaborate with EYC to provide retail marketers with a total solution for one-to-one targeted marketing communications. Together, CGX Publishing Solutions and EYC are able to provide retail customers with the insight and tools to implement revenue-building, data-driven promotions that improve relevance and response rates. Through this collaboration, they will be able to produce 100-percent variable direct mail pieces that can speak to each individual shopper differently. For more information, please read the press release.

Maximum Graphics Named 2010 Commercial Print Vendor of the Year!

2011-02-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

We’re excited to announce that Maximum Graphics, a Consolidated Graphics company based in Chaska, Minnesota, was recently named the 2010 Commercial Print Vendor of the Year, given by Staples.

The award was presented on February 15, at the Staples National Conference held in Orlando, Florida. John Scheffler, president of Maximum Graphics, accepted the award on behalf of the Maximum team. They were one of only five winners in five categories, taking home the win in the Commercial Printing category.

From everyone at Consolidated Graphics we’d like to extend our congratulations to the Maximum team!

Mike Eastley Joins Image Systems as President

2010-12-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

We're delighted to announce that Mike Eastley has joined Image Systems, a Consolidated Graphics company located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, as president. Over the past ten years, Eastley has held various positions in commercial printing, and brings a strong technical background and sales acumen to this Consolidated Graphics company. Mike has a solid knowledge base that spans the print industry, and emphasizes the customer service that Image Systems has built reputation around.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Image Systems, the company was founded as a pre-press shop in 1987. Since that time, Image Systems has grown in terms of facility size and service breadth, but maintains its original focus on top quality print fulfillment and superior customer service. Image Systems joined the Consolidated Graphics team in 1998, and has become an integral part of the company's overall service offering. For more information on Image Systems, click here.

Spotlight On: Jim Cohen, EVP, Mergers & Acquisitions, CGX

2010-12-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

We spoke with Jim Cohen, Executive Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Consolidated Graphics, to get the inside scoop on the print industry’s M&A landscape. Cohen joined CGX in 2005, and has led the company’s very active acquisition strategy since then, increasing the size of CGX by about 30% during this period. In recognition of his contributions to the printing industry, last year Mr. Cohen was inducted into the National Association of Printing Leadership’s Soderstrom Society, the honorary society that recognizes outstanding contributions of service and leadership in the printing industry.

How have you seen the industry change since joining CGX in 2005?

Cohen: The biggest change has been in the last two years, as the printing industry was hit hard by the recession. CGX was fortunately very well positioned when the recession hit because we have one of the strongest balance sheets in the printing industry, and this allowed us to continue to aggressively look at acquisition opportunities, but the industry as a whole has changed dramatically. Unlike before the recession, it became very difficult to find printing companies that were growing and profitable. So we had to get creative and see if we could make lemonade out of lemons with some of the distressed deals we were seeing literally every day of the week. I also redoubled my efforts in sourcing acquisition candidates because when you look at turnaround situations you have to pick your targets even more carefully because there is virtually no margin for error. We have become very experienced in the last two years in devising structures that work for distressed companies and have managed to make the transactions win win for both sides. Most of the companies we have looked at over the last two years will most likely not be around two years from now, and the owners more often than not have personal guarantees which could wipe them out if their businesses fail. It is a terrible situation for printing company owners today, and I am very sympathetic. I’ve also tried to make clear to owners today that we do have an interest in looking at your company even if it is in financial distress. So we are looking at a very changed landscape these days. It is definitely very challenging today for most printers out there, including us.

Another big change unrelated to the economy is the role that technology and digital plays in our business today. Solutions selling is no longer a buzzword, and customers don’t care what kind of equipment you own. They want solutions. The growth in digital printing is great for us because we have the world’s largest and most modern network of digital presses, but it is a real struggle for independents because digital printing only makes sense if you can sell solutions. To sell solutions, you need a pretty special type of salesperson. Then if you actually have someone who can sell solutions, you are most likely going to need multiple digital presses. And these presses need constant upgrades just like your laptop so printers will find themselves spending a lot more on digital equipment than they ever spent on offset. This isn’t intuitive initially to printing company owners because the initial outlay for a digital press is typically less than for an offset press. But layer on click charges, down time, software upgrades and the rapid evolution of digital printing technology, and you’re going to find that you need a lot of capital to compete in the digital arena. This is going to change our industry dramatically in the next few years.

How has the downturn impacted CGX from an M&A perspective?

Cohen: As I mentioned, we’re in a relatively good financial position, which allows us to continue looking at M&A opportunities in the industry. With so many distressed companies out there, we’ve become a white knight to some degree, rescuing some of these companies from almost certain liquidation or bankruptcy. We’re also continuing to invest in our business, positioning ourselves as an even stronger competitor when the economy rebounds. This ability to reinvest is a key differentiator for us.

What things do you look for when identifying acquisition opportunities?

Cohen: There are a lot of factors we look for when assessing an acquisition opportunity. The most important one is that it must fit into CGX’s overall strategy, and complement our current product and service offering. We look at earnings growth, the strength of the management team and employees as well as the company’s customer base. We look for a history of reinvestment in the business (quality of their equipment) and a good reputation, either nationally or in the local community in which they operate. There isn’t a single formula for what makes a company attractive to CGX, but rather a combination of qualitative and quantitative considerations. Cultural fit is also extremely important.

What is most attractive about CGX from the perspective of acquisition candidates?

Cohen: There are a lot of benefits to being aligned with a company like ours. We allow owners to take their chips off the table but also to continue running their business as part of one of the world’s leaders in printing. This is a pretty exciting “Chapter Two” that we offer owners in terms of their own careers. At the same time, we allow owners to continue to run their businesses autonomously, maintaining the structure and processes that make the most sense for them, and operating under their own name so as to preserve the brand equity they have built over multiple generations in many cases. Allowing former entrepreneurs a healthy dose of autonomy is attractive to sellers. We also provide the risk capital and as the bank, we relieve sellers of having to both worry about securing financing and personal guarantees on debt. Also, sellers also find themselves with an instant peer group of 70 other presidents who are best in class themselves and are always available to share best practices.

It is also the best result for their employees because we own our companies for the long-term and are not looking to make a quick flip like a financial buyer would. We’ll also invest in the businesses we buy to ensure that they succeed and that their customers’ needs are met at all levels. And with our strong balance sheet and breadth of product offerings, an acquired company’s employees know that they are part of a financially sound industry leader, and if they are in sales they can offer a lot more in the way of solutions and products to their customers.

We also offer better distribution to an acquired company’s customers because we are in or near every major metropolitan area in the US and also own companies in Toronto and central Europe and have strategic alliances with companies in Asia. This is a great benefit to national and international customers as well as those who are looking to have a smaller carbon footprint by using a distribute and print model rather than vice versa. We also offer customers a broader service offering (web, sheet fed, digital, POP, large format, direct mail, etc.).

What M&A trends do you foresee going forward?

Cohen: I think even as the economy recovers, we will continue to see many companies fail over the next two to four years. This kind of lag is pretty typical with economic recoveries. As banks continue their own recovery and finish dealing with their larger credit risks, they will turn their attention to their smaller printing credits and be more willing to take the write offs that they’ve been ignoring for the last couple of years. As the struggling printers disappear, so will their desperate pricing strategies, and that will benefit the survivors who no longer have to lose money on jobs just to compete.

More failing companies will inevitably also result in more mergers, but many of those will be between two equally desperate companies so don’t expect a lot of those mergers to work long term. But in general as the economy recovers over the next few years, I expect to see a big pick up in acquisition activity as earnings return to the point where owners get comfortable with the value they can pull out of a transaction. Many of these owners will have wanted to sell for years but had to delay due to the dip in profitability that they all had to endure during the recession. So this pent up demand should be a very good thing for our own acquisition efforts.

Wetzel Brothers Offers Lamá Display Solution

2010-11-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

After a thorough vetting process, we are proud to announce that Wetzel Brothers, Consolidated Graphics’ longest operating company and a leader in point-of-purchase (POP) displays, was recently selected as an official licensee in the USA for Marin’s International. The Lamá®is a patented, instant display that opens instantly into position in a matter of seconds. As easy as it is to set up, it’s just as simple to fold down, and saves customers up to two-thirds of their shipping expense due to its compact size.

Here’s how it all happened...

Last year, Marin’s, a French company and owner of the Lamá® patent, started looking for just a few qualified companies to manufacture and sell the Lamá® line of products stateside. They selected Wetzel Brothers because of their exclusive focus on POP displays and national scope, and thus the partnership was initiated.

What makes the Lamá® so fantastic is its ease of use and simple assembly (or should we say more accurately, no assembly?). It pops up automatically, and can be used for sampling promotional products, as a tabletop display, as a branding display, or in any number of formats utilizing the patented paperboard technology. Display sizes range from counter displays to 10 foot-high columns.

Companies like Procter & Gamble, Kraft, Microsoft, Sony, Unilever and more have already adopted the solution, and more recently, Wetzel brought the Lamá® to retail magnates Toys ‘R Us and Nintendo. According to Carine Krull of Wetzel Brothers, “They are excited about our new Lamá® capabilities and immediately made use of the innovative displays. We also anticipate generating a lot of new business as a result of this partnership.”

For more info on the Lamá®, you can contact Wetzel Brothers. Wetzel Brothers recently exhibited the Lamá at the 2010 Shopper Marketing Expo, October 6-7, 2010 at the Navy Pier in Chicago, but if you missed them there be sure to catch them at GlobalShop at The Sands in Las Vegas, March 28-30,2011.

Guest Blog from InfoPrint Solutions: Why Frederic Printing is the Dream Partner

2010-11-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

At CGX, we work closely with our suppliers to keep the print industry moving forward and to continue to better serve our customers. Today, I'm happy to introduce George Promis,VP, CF Production Solutions and Technology Alliances, InfoPrint Solutions, as he shares his thoughts on Frederic Printing's installation of the InfoPrint5000:

Here at InfoPrint Solutions, we’ve realized that building strong relationships with our clients, partners and suppliers is important and we consider it as a staple in the success of our brand. As such, you can imagine how excited we were to work with Consolidated Graphics’ Frederic Printing because they share the same high standards and carry this philosophy over to their relationships with their partners and suppliers.

Upon first hearing Frederic Printing’s needs for a new printing solution and examining their workload, clients and output we knew an InfoPrint 5000 would be a great fit – specifically to address their demands for a flexible, reliable and versatile solution and to enable the creation of unique, future applications. Customized college textbooks, direct mail marketing pieces and election ballots were a few output types Frederic Printing produced and looked to InfoPrint Solutions to optimize.

What was most impressive throughout the selection and vetting process was the openness and mutually-beneficial relationship we immediately felt when working with the Frederic Printing team. Right off the bat, we could tell this would be a growing and rewarding partnership with ongoing work into the future. Coincidentally, Frederic’s facility is located nearby our headquarters which enables us to work closely together to jointly test new applications on very short runs – a capability not often supported by other inkjet offerings. By doing this, Frederic has the ability to report back to its parent company the innovative approach they are exploring in the field of short run, high quality output.

Once the implementation began, Frederic Printing had a smooth transition integrating their workload onto the InfoPrint 5000. The flexibility of the InfoPrint 5000 quickly fulfilled the company’s short run digital color printing needs. This, along with the quick, seamless installation, minimal staff training and ease of use was praised by the Frederic Printing team. The solution immediately met the demands of their clients for high quality while meeting critical print windows.

Sustainability is another important factor for Frederic Printing, as it is for InfoPrint Solutions. Hence implementing the InfoPrint 5000 was a perfect solution as it supports sustainability and cost-effective printing practices. Specifically, it is one of the industry’s lowest power consuming high speed inkjet models and also delivers exceptional operational efficiency and uses water-based inks.

We, at InfoPrint Solutions, measure our success on the outcome and satisfaction our products provide. In this particular case, we couldn’t have been more thrilled to realize that Frederic Printing shared our fundamental beliefs. Since then, we’ve garnered a strong and supportive relationship that continues to meet the needs and demands of their customers.

Want to read more? Check out InfoPrint Insights blog for a post by Chris Greene, President of Frederic Printing, where he gives everyday examples of how his company is using the InfoPrint 5000.

Thank you,
George Promis
VP, CF Production Solutions and Technology Alliances
InfoPrint Solutions

Joe Davis Wins Print CEO of the Year!

2010-10-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

We can't say enough about our CEO, Joe Davis, but it's always nice when the rest of the world realizes what an outstanding leader he is. Mr. Davis was recently honored as Print CEO of the Year by WhatTheyThink and Manroland for his "inspirational leadership and success."

We aren't sure if it's the incredible growth the company has seen (Mr. Davis has grown CGX from a single print facility to over 70 facilities in just 25 years, and our company has reached over $1 billion in revenues), his Leadership Development Program (in his acceptance speech, he said this is his proudest achievement), or the company's successful acquisition program (which is the company's core growth strategy), but whatever it is, 2,500 of Davis' peers seem to agree that he is worthy of such an honor. To learn more about the Print CEO of the Year award, click here.

Introducing emerge Magazine

2010-09-21T02:26:00.000-07:00

Every year, we invite our top customers to emerge, our annual conference for clients that highlights print, technology and marketing innovation. The event features breakout sessions, showcases major developments from print suppliers and manufacturers, and shares best practices from some of the biggest names in business: Merck, Aviva, Tyco, Adobe and more.

While we've gotten rave reviews about emerge over the years, one of the things we've discovered is the need to continue education and knowledge transfer among our clients in-between the annual conferences. As a result we recently launched a bi-monthly magazine (also called emerge).

Our goal for emerge, both conference and magazine, is simple: to explore new perspectives and solutions so that we, our customers, suppliers and the entire industry can improve our respective businesses. We want your input, comments, thoughts and musings, and we've also put together an online digital subscription version for you to conveniently view anytime, anywhere.

Frederic Printing's InfoPrint 5000

2010-09-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

Part of what makes CGX such a strong company is the relationships we hold with our suppliers. Our customers tell us what they need, we translate that need to our suppliers, and they provide us with the appropriate technology. This gives us the ability to package this technology into a complete solution that makes our customers' lives easier and their marketing efforts more effective.

Frederic Printing, a CGX company in Aurora, Colorado, recently partnered with InfoPrint to install the InfoPrint 5000, which improves our ability to create print-on-demand textbooks, direct mail pieces, election ballots, and other high-volume variably-printed collateral. For more info on the InfoPrint, check out Chris Greene's guest post on the InfoPrint blog.

Joe Davis Selected as Print CEO of the Year Finalist

2010-09-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

Joe Davis, CEO of Consolidated Graphics, was just announced as a finalist for the WhatTheyThink.com Print CEO of the Year award. While no surprise to us, it's always nice to be recognized by such a premier online resource for all things print-related.

Mr. Davis was selected from a prestigious group of thirty nominations for the first annual Print CEO of the Year award. Criteria for judging includes a demonstration of "inspirational and innovative leadership," metrics like revenue and profit growth, corporate transformation initiatives, and/or environmental leadership, and other qualifications that the nominator deems important.

We're not sure if it's his support for innovation shown through groundbreaking events like emerge, his commitment to young talent displayed through the Leadership Development Program that he founded, or the solid CGX financial performance, but whatever it is, we are in full agreement that Mr. Davis is worthy of such an honor.

Awards will be presented at the second annual Print CEO Forum scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd in Chicago, Illinois, and the winner will be selected by a group of industry peers. “We assembled a panel of 10 industry experts to narrow the list down to the top five,” said Randy Davidson, president of WhatTheyThink. “Hundreds of Print CEOs from around the globe will be invited to submit their votes to determine who will be named the Print CEO of the Year. All 5 finalists will receive a unique award crafted by a talented artist. It was a tough choice for our industry experts since all 30 nominees were highly qualified. Our congratulations to all 30 nominees, and especially to the final five.”

The five finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

* Joe Davis, Consolidated Graphics, Houston, Texas

* Robert Keane, Vistaprint, Lexington, Mass.

* John Lacagnina, ColorCentric Corp., Rochester, N.Y.

* Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics, Sussex, Wis.

* Adam Slutsky, Mimeo, New York, N.Y.

Congratulations to all!

CDS Publications Receives Prestigious ISO Certification

2010-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

CDS Publications, a Consolidated Graphics company located in Medford, Oregon, has completed its ISO certification process, which it has maintained since 1994. ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards, and governs national standards of 163 countries. The organization forms a bridge between the public and private sectors, ensuring that companies meet the requirements of both business and society at large.

CDS renews its certification every three years, after receiving approval from a 3rd party auditor on specific processes, initiatives, and standards that have been determined as best practices for the print and manufacturing industry.

"The ISO 9001:2008 certification is a signal to our customers that we are protecting the data they send us, producing their work with the utmost quality, and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to our internal processes," said Steve Brown, President of CDS. "While not required by the industry, it's an important step in assuring our customers that we will deliver not only a superior product, but a superior experience."

The Dukes of Digital: CGX is highlighted in August's Printing Impressions magazine

2010-08-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

Consolidated Graphics made the cover of Printing Impressions magazine this month and was featured in the prestigious trade publication. It was a group effort, showcasing the work of the entire executive team and the significant progress that the company has made since its inception under the leadership of CEO Joe Davis.

Here are just a few of my favorite excerpts from the article, but be sure to check out the complete story, as it provides a solid snapshot of who CGX is and where the company is heading:

On emerge:

It is at the intersection of people and technology that you will find the kingdom of Consolidated Graphics, and emerge was just one way in which the company is  building on its empire.
"One recurring theme I hear is that marketers and procurement people are starting to think more creatively about what they can do," Grohs says. "It's kind of a perfect storm, because we have all of this technology, digital equipment and the recession all hitting the industry at the same time. And, it seems that no one else is trying to take the lead and show people what can really be done. Our event was fresh, innovative and educational."

On sales and recruiting:

Saying that people are the most important asset at a printing company reeks of trite indulgence. But not for a firm that invests in a Leadership Development Program, an initiative that seeks out the brightest and hardest-working young men and women from American campuses nationwide to mold them into future CGX executives.
According to Michael Barton, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, "If anything, our expectations have increased because we realize that, as CGX grows, we'll need a large pool of talented people ready to assume the leadership roles that will become available.
Its sales force is constantly raising the bar in terms of cross-selling opportunities, with more than $100 million per year in such sales. Being able to sell the full capabilities of CGX—like its legendary stout balance sheet—is a given for its sales force.

On technology:

Davis points out that the 220 machines which grace the CGX network make it the largest fleet of digital presses in the United States.
Jon Biro, executive vice president, chief financial and accounting officer, notes that investments over the past two years have enabled the company to nurture what he calls the "world's largest digital platform."

On acquisitions:

"Our acquisition strategy isn't directly tied to geography or acquiring new capabilities," Cohen notes. "We look for the best companies, with the best leadership and the best customers, no matter where they happen to be.
CGX's M&A platform is as robust as any, buoyed by ready access to capital and ready to stretch into a 27th state, though geography is not a requisite.

On innovation and progress:

For a major printing conglomerate, it boasts many of the traits shown by companies a mere fraction of CGX's size.
"It doesn't matter how big we get," Davis remarks. "The day we start thinking like a big company is the day we're going to die. We've got to stay nimble, stay flexible. We can't get caught up in big company bureaucracy. If we do that, we're going to lose what makes us so  special."

2010 Annual Shareholders' Meeting Recap

2010-08-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Annual Shareholders' Meeting just came to a close, and was a huge success. In a less than ideal economic climate, CGX has managed to strengthen its key differentiators (a strong balance sheet, a thriving training program, and state-of-the-art technology platform) to once again come out ahead.

The event attracted over 300 people with an assortment of ties to the printing company, and featured presentations from CEO Joe Davis, CFO Jon Biro, and EVP of Sales and Marketing Aaron Grohs, all of whom touched on the importance of technology in printing and a continued focus on recruiting top talent.

Each guest received a copy of the annual report (complete with QR codes and a digital version), the new Emerge publication, and a Printing Impressions cover story scheduled to release next week. There is no doubt that CGX is continuing to invest in its future, and has solid growth prospects, both organic and acquisition-based.

Following are a few photos from the event, which was a solid kickoff to the National Associates' Meeting, which will be held tomorrow through Saturday. For more images, visit our Flickr page.

CGX Annual Shareholders' Meeting Tonight

2010-08-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the Consolidated Graphics annual shareholders' meeting. To most companies, this might just mean a conference call and maybe a slide show via webinar. For CGX, the annual shareholders' meeting is an event of it's own, one that kicks off the National Associates Meeting (NAM) and brings in top investors, bankers, customers, and employees of all levels to discuss the past year's progress and plans for the year(s) to come.

This year, as in previous years, a ballroom full of interested parties will network and share insight on Consolidated Graphics and the printing industry as a whole. The shareholders' meeting will be held at the Hilton Americas from 5pm to 7pm, with networking to follow.

For the two days following the annual shareholders' meeting, an inspiring, ambitious group of recent college graduates who represent the future of Consolidated Graphics. CEO Joe Davis started the Leadership Development Program back in 1992, and the award winning program has received numerous accolades for its ability to attract and retain top talent to the seemingly unglamorous printing industry. Sitting in a room with this intelligent, young group, one might wonder why they turned down various opportunities to work at a printing facility. However, once you hear stories of associates becoming leading sales reps and company presidents, you realize that at a company like CGX opportunity is endless, and your future is whatever you make of it.

CGX Flex Mailer Saves Postage

2010-07-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last week, the United States Postal Service (USPS) proposed an across-the-board rate increase for its services. Consolidated Graphics is countering that effort with support from the government agency through its patent-pending CGX Flex Mailer.

The CGX Flex Mailer is a unique, eco-friendly packaging solution that saves money by taking items that are non-machinable and allows them to be mailed as automated flats. “The Flex Mailer has enabled our clients to save millions of dollars in shipping costs, shifting mailings to automated mail through the U.S. Postal Service,” said Craig Reynolds, President of Tucker Printers, a Consolidated Graphics company. “We’ve received an overwhelming response from companies that were contemplating giving up promotional mail items due to the cost limitations, that are now able to continue that aspect of their marketing strategy.”

The CGX Flex Mailer was developed as a custom solution for a premiums and fulfillment customer that needed a cost-effective mailing solution. After hours of brainstorming and testing of various design concepts, Consolidated Graphics arrived at the perfect solution: a highly flexible outer “skin” coupled with a unique inner tray design. The outer skin is tight enough to allow flexibility on both vertical and horizontal axes, while maintaining sufficient surface tension variations less than ¼ of an inch. All of this means that anything mailed within the Flex Mailer is classified as an automated machinable flat, which equals major cost savings to distributors.

The USPS has given the Flex Mailer its blessing, and one Consolidated Graphics client is already anticipated to save over two million dollars annually. The packages can be tracked by the USPS through the Intelligent Mail Barcode that can be printed directly on the piece.

Couple the cost savings with the fact that the packages are produced using wind energy and soy-based inks, making it an environmentally-friendly packaging solution that is green in more ways than one.

CGX acquires Hickory Printing assets

2010-06-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

CONOVER, N.C. and HIGH POINT, N.C., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: CGX) announced that Hickory Printing Solutions, a Consolidated Graphics company, has acquired certain assets of The Hickory Printing Group headquartered in Conover, North Carolina. Hickory Printing was founded in 1917 and grew to be one of the largest commercial printers in the southeastern United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hickory Printing Solutions offers web and sheetfed printing, mailing and fulfillment, variable printing, interactive services and packaging and operates out of two facilities located in Conover and High Point, NC.

Commenting on the acquisition, Joe R. Davis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Graphics, Inc., stated, "Hickory Printing Solutions offers first class quality and service to its customers. With the additional resources of Consolidated Graphics, including the world's largest and most sophisticated digital printing network, behind it and its dedicated employees, Hickory Printing Solutions will continue to exceed every customer expectation."

Stephen Patton, former President of Electric City Printing, a Consolidated Graphics company in Williamston, SC, is the President of Hickory Printing Solutions. Mr. Patton commented, "I am looking forward to applying all that I have learned at Consolidated Graphics to help Hickory Printing Solutions continue its world class printing reputation."

George B. Glisan and Jeffrey A. Hale, formerly CEO and CFO, respectively, of The Hickory Printing Group have been hired to serve as CEO and CFO of Hickory Printing Solutions. Mr. Glisan said, "I have always admired the Consolidated Graphics business model and am looking forward to having the financial strength and resources of Consolidated Graphics behind us."

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (CGX), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is one of North America's leading general commercial printing companies. With 70 printing businesses strategically located across 27 states, Toronto, and Prague, we offer an unmatched geographic footprint, unsurpassed capabilities, and unparalleled levels of convenience, efficiency and service. With locations in or near virtually every major U.S. market, CGX provides the service and responsiveness of a local printer enhanced by the economic, geographic and technological advantages of a large national organization.

Consolidated Graphics' vast and technologically advanced sheetfed and web printing capabilities are complemented by the world's largest integrated digital footprint. By coupling North America's most comprehensive printing capabilities with strategically located fulfillment centers and industry-leading technology, CGX delivers end-to-end print production and management solutions that are based on the needs of our customers to improve their results. For more information, visit www.cgx.com.

Emerge 2010 is a success!

2010-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Consolidated Graphics recently wrapped up its second annual emerge event in San Antonio, Texas, where customers, suppliers and employees came together to collaborate, learn and propel the industry to new heights. Guests learned about developments being made by industry technology leaders Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Kodak and more. They discussed the newest features of Adobe's CS5, which the company officially launched at emerge. They collaborated on best practices and discussed what works and what doesn't, in an effort to "do more with less", which became a recurring theme of the event. We'll be compiling numbers, statistics and multimedia content gathered at the event in the days to come, so stay tuned!

Plans Are Coming Along for Emerge

2010-02-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

CGX has over 30 sponsors on board to take part in emerge, a conference focused on print and technology innovation. The event will have an interactive business expo where sponsors showcase their latest developments, and guests have an opportunity to see new technologies first-hand. Comment below if you're interested in finding out more, or visit our site at www.cgxemerge.com!

Second Emerge Conference Is Planned!

2010-02-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

We have great news - Consolidated Graphics has announced plans for its second annual emerge conference, which will be held at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas on April 21st and 22nd. The event is by invitation only, but all media are welcome to attend.

The two-day event that will support CGX customers by providing them with the latest print and technology solutions. CGX will be joined by industry leaders such as Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Adobe, XMPie and others in marketing, creative design, printing and procurement. It has been rumored that Adobe will be unveiling its latest product as part of its signature suite of services, so stay tuned!

The event was held last year in Washington, D.C., and is expected to double in size during its San Antonio iteration, with attendance to exceed 750 participants. CGX will provide guests with the tools to make smart, informed, and creative decisions related to printing and technology as a means to better position their businesses in an environment that remains challenging.

Consolidated Graphics’ Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Aaron Grohs said, “Emerge is an opportunity to show our clients that CGX remains at the forefront of the printing industry, and that we are committed to the success of our customers. Over the course of these two days, we’ll show how the breadth of products and services offered by Consolidated Graphics can solve the day-to-day business obstacles that our clients are faced with.” Guests will receive ideas on how to streamline processes, improve efficiencies and increase revenues.

For more information on emerge, visit www.cgxemerge.com.

Consolidated Graphics' Maximum Graphics Completes SAS 70 Type II Audit

2009-11-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Maximum Graphics, a Consolidated Graphics company, announced the successful completion of the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 70 Type II Service Auditor's Report.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) November 17, 2009 -- Maximum Graphics, a subsidiary of Consolidated Graphics and a leader in variable data processing, printing and fulfillment, announced the successful completion of the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 70 Type II Service Auditor's Report. The SAS 70 audit provides an in-depth analysis of internal control activities, including controls over information technology and related processes.
Maximum Graphics has confirmed the quality of internal controls over sensitive data provided by customers, complementing its breadth of digital print capabilities.As a result of this audit, Maximum Graphics has confirmed the quality of internal controls over sensitive data provided by customers, complementing its breadth of digital print capabilities. Maximum Graphics is integral to Consolidated Graphics' world leading digital printing platform.

“Receiving the SAS 70 Type II Report is a reflection of Maximum Graphics' continuing commitment to safeguarding the quality, accuracy and privacy of our clients' information,” said John Scheffler, President of Maximum Graphics. “It provides assurance that the systems we use meet the highest standards and that best practices are implemented during all stages of job production, giving our clients peace of mind that their sensitive customer data is safe and secure.”

The audit was performed by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and included tests conducted over a six-month period in Maximum Graphics' operational environment. Regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act have emphasized a need to provide clients with an independent party opinion and analysis verifying the effectiveness of internal controls, security and privacy. Audit results indicate that controls are in place and properly being followed at Maximum Graphics.

SAS 70 Overview

Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 70, Service Organizations, is a widely recognized auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). A service auditor's examination performed in accordance with SAS No. 70 (“SAS 70 Audit”) is widely recognized because it represents that service organization has been through an in-depth audit of their control objectives and control activities, which often include controls over information technology and related processes.

About Consolidated Graphics

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (CGX), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is one of North America's leading general commercial printing companies. With 70 printing businesses strategically located across 27 states, Canada, and in Prague, we offer an unmatched geographic footprint, unsurpassed capabilities, and unparalleled levels of convenience, efficiency and service. With locations in or near virtually every major U.S. market, CGX provides service and responsiveness of a local printer enhanced by the economic, geographic and technological advantages of a large national organization.

Consolidated Graphics' vast and technologically advanced sheetfed and web printing capabilities are complemented by the largest integrated digital footprint of any commercial printer in the U.S. By coupling North America's most comprehensive printing capabilities with strategically located fulfillment centers and industry-leading technology, CGX delivers solutions that create a spectrum of value for customers. CGX offers the unique ability to respond to all printing-related needs no matter how large, small, specialized or complex. For more information, visit www.cgx.com.

About McGladrey & Pullen LLP and RSM McGladrey

McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm) delivers audit and attest services. It operates in an alternative practice structure with RSM McGladrey, a leading professional services firm providing accounting, tax, and business consulting services to middle-market businesses. Through separate and independent legal entities, they work together to serve clients' business needs. Together the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services (source: Accounting Today), with over 8,000 employees in nearly 100 offices. McGladrey & Pullen LLP and RSM McGladrey Inc. are member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms.

Rody Grant Elected to ACCGC Board of Directors

2009-09-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Rody Grant, Director of Recruiting, Training and Development at Consolidated Graphics was elected to serve a 3-year term on the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC) Board of Directors. Grant's term will begin at the end of 2009 and will conclude at the close of the 2012 ACCGC Board of Directors meeting.

"I am honored to have been asked to join the ACCGC Board of Directors and look forward to working with colleges and universities around the country looking for accreditation of their graphic communication programs," said Grant.

The purpose of the ACCGC is to promote and encourage collegiate-level educational programs in graphic communications. The ACCGC also works to improve the quality of instruction through self-study and periodic review. The organization's accreditation process also enables the exchange of ideas between administrative and instructional personnel in academia and personnel in the graphic communications industries.

The goal of collegiate-level degree programs in graphic communications is to prepare students for productive technical, managerial, and/or marketing careers in this dynamic industry. The accreditation procedure was established to assist collegiate educators to develop and strengthen graphic communications academic programs whether the programs are separate majors, minors, or concentrations within an academic major such as industrial technology and comunication studies. For more information on the ACCGC, click here.

HP Inkjet Web Press

2009-09-21T14:05:00.001-07:00

CGX was featured in this Hewlett-Packerd video during Print '09. Check it out on YouTube, or embedded below:

HP's Jan Riecher Talks About CGX

2009-08-27T06:41:00.001-07:00

HP VP and General Manager Jan Riecher talks about digital printing trends and the role CGX plays in pushing the industry forward with What They Think's Pat Henry. Of the partnership between HP and CGX, Riecher said, "CGX is a great partner because they are really driving new applications and they have the broadest distributed network. They have great breadth of application and the...web press will provide an even better offering to their customers."

Chris Greene Interview With What They Think

2009-08-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Chris Greene, President of Frederic Printing, a Consolidated Graphics company, shares his thoughts on how the new HP Inkjet Web Press will affect his business and the industry as a whole during this interview with What They Think.

LDP Program Forges the Future of Printing

2009-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Beginning in 1991, CGX CEO Joe Davis realized that in order to stay at the forefront of printing, it was important to introduce young talent to the otherwise maturing industry. In response to this need, he began the Leadership Development Program (LDP) by recruiting three candidates at Texas A&M University. One of those is now a company president.

In its 18th year, the LDP program has introduced 391 associates into the print industry. Of those, 232 are currently participating in the three year program, evidence of the recent growth the program has experienced. Many of these associates go on to become presidents or remain with Consolidated Graphics in a variety of roles.

"Associates join the LDP program because of the opportunity it provides," said Rody Grant, Director of Recruiting, Training and Development at Consolidated Graphics. "These associates get very involved with the companies they work for, and gain the tools and support they need to be successful." Grant oversees the LDP program and facilitates the rotations and boot camps that associates have the opportunity to experience.

CGX now recruits associates at over 70 universities from across the country, and seeks students that are outgoing, sales oriented, and well-rounded, having participated in campus activities like student government or extra-curricular organizations. While a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, "CGX is looking for more than book smarts," according to Grant. "As we continue to move more toward digital printing, we are looking for graduates that are knowledgeable in technology and are able to push the industry forward."

CGX's Frederic Printing Launches 2nd Ever HP Inkjet Web Press

2009-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

In a moment of print history, CGX's Frederic Printing in Denver, Colorado unveiled the second HP Inkjet Web Press ever during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 20th. This revolutionary technology is intended to lower the total cost of ownership and increase digital printing capabilities. The HP Inkjet Web Press offers output up to 30 inches wide, which allows for fast, four-color double-sided printing at 600 dpi with speeds up to 400 feet per minute. This enables up to 70 million impressions per month.

Frederic Printing President Chris Greene said, "This is a milestone in digital printing. Frederic now has the capability to offer our customers more cost effective printing, and is another example of the trend from analog to digital."

The installation of the press is yet another example of the strong partnership between CGX and HP. Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Aaron Grohs said, "CGX has always been committed to technology, and thanks to our partnership with HP we have the opportunity to go above and beyond where the industry is."

For more information on the HP Inkjet Web Press, visit www.hp.com/go/inkjetwebpress.

EVP Jim Cohen Inducted Into NAPL Soderstrom Society

2009-08-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Consolidated Graphics' Executive Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, Jim Cohen, will be inducted into the National Association for Printing Leadership's (NAPL) Soderstrom Society during the Society's annual meeting on September 12th at The Park Hyatt Chicago Hotel, held in conjunction with Print 09.

The Soderstrom Society was named for the late Walter E. Soderstrom, one of the founders of NAPL, and is an honors organization that recognizes leaders with outstanding records of industry service, including printing firm owners, equipment manufacturers, consultants, and educators. In response to the award, Cohen said, “I am very honored to have been selected for membership to the Soderstrom Society whose membership is made up of some of the people I admire most in our industry.”

Jim Cohen, an honors graduate of Princeton University who also received a law degree from New York University, began his career at Morgan Stanley in New York as a financial analyst. He then practiced corporate law in New York and London before becoming a partner at a Houston based private equity fund. Since joining Consolidated Graphics as EVP of M&A in 2005, Cohen has led the company’s very active acquisition strategy which included acquiring industry leaders such as The Hennegan Company, PBM Graphics, Annan & Bird and The Cyril-Scott Company as well as smaller “tuck-in” opportunities. Cohen continues to lead Consolidated Graphics' acquisition strategy, which because of Consolidated’s strong balance sheet, remains very active despite the current economic environment.

CGX Annual Shareholders Meeting

2009-08-07T12:15:00.001-07:00

Last night was the Consolidated Graphics (CGX) Annual Shareholders' meeting. In typical CGX style, it was an event filled with value and highlighted the relationships that the company is known so well for. Though it was my first shareholders' meeting, I can assure you that it won't be my last.

Over 300 guests filled a ballroom at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston. CEO Joe Davis kicked off the evening by highlighting the people who directly contribute to the success of this printing magnate, including recipients of the highly coveted Chairman's Award, bankers, legal counsel and employees from across the nation. Particularly impressive were the swarms of associates present as part of the Leadership Development Program that Mr. Davis is personally involved in. This was proof that while other companies are making layoffs, CGX continues to invest in the people that will build the future of printing.

Somehow, despite the fact that CGX reported its first quarterly loss ever just two days before, there was a positive air about the room. Every employee I spoke with seemed personally invested in the success of the company, which is not something you can manufacture.

Aaron Grohs, EVP of Sales and Marketing, highlighted the company's national footprint, claiming that this is a feat that is almost impossible for competitors to replicate. As a result, the company can deliver print products faster and more efficiently than anyone else in the market. Coupled with CGX's strong digital platform, it becomes quickly apparent that this is one printer who is positioned to grow no matter what state the economy is in.