Consolidated Graphics expands international presence

Shiro Fujimoto, Vice President
of International Business Development,
Consolidated Graphics

Our international team at Consolidated Graphics, Inc. is logging some serious frequent flyer miles these days as they develop and implement international printing solutions for North America-based clients. We recently caught up with Shiro Fujimoto, the Vice President of International Business Development at Consolidated Graphics and our in-house expert on global print trends, who shared some insights into our international strategy and what you can expect from us around the world:

Q: Shiro, can you explain why Consolidated Graphics is taking an interest in international locations? 

A: Many people are surprised to realize that U.S.-based corporations often perform 50 percent or more of their business overseas. While Consolidated Graphics’ focus has primarily been on U.S. businesses, more and more we’re seeing a need to service our existing client base abroad. We want to ensure that we can support all of their needs, and that means providing them with the same quality, consistency and effective service that they receive within the United States.

Q: How do you select locations for international expansion? 

A: As with any investment we make, we’re listening closely to our clients and identifying locations that are most beneficial to them. At the same time, we’re trying to select strategic areas that allow us to reduce shipping costs, access key markets, and develop international clientele.

Q: What things do customers need to consider when printing abroad? 

A: Each country has unique nuances that should be considered, from a marketing and messaging standpoint as well as technical specifications such as paper stocks and sizes. For example, the U.S. is one of three countries (Myanmar and Liberia being the other two) that don’t utilize the metric system, which means standard paper sizes are different -- and attempting to print pieces identical to those in the U.S. could prove much more costly abroad. Translations also impact designs; for example, Spanish is often 20 percent longer than English, while Chinese is much shorter. The goal is always to build a consistent brand across the globe, but flexibility needs to be a part of any global campaign.

Q: How is technology supporting global marketing and print campaigns? 

A: Technology allows companies to centralize their infrastructure, creating consistent materials across countries. Things like style guides, imagery, and templates can be centralized and accessed from anywhere in the world. A good illustration is Consolidated Graphics’ Streamline Web2Print solution, which gives users from around the world access to order materials to be produced and distributed in the region they are to be delivered in. Even with respect to communications, technology is enabling decentralized teams to create, collaborate and improve overall effectiveness from numerous locations. 

Q: How does Consolidated Graphics ensure that customers receive consistent quality in different countries? 

A: We have invested in and partnered with the very best print facilities around the world. We have also developed our own proprietary color technology, integrated with our G7 Digital Master Certification, which ensures that, within an extremely miniscule margin of error (invisible to the human eye in most cases), colors achieve identical results across geographies, and even amongst varying printing devices. We also support our clients throughout the process via our International Print Management Offices (IPMOs), which enable translating services, scheduling, fulfillment, and more.

Q: Does Consolidated Graphics have a presence in every region? 

A: We have access to nearly every area of the globe, either through direct investment or strategic partnerships. For example, we have our own facilities in Europe and Japan, strategic partners in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and Brazil, and vendor relationships in Australia, Mexico, and China. Our ultimate goal is to provide strategic access to every major market on the planet.

Q: What is next in terms of international growth at Consolidated Graphics? 

A: We’re being smart about where we invest our dollars and how we grow this segment of the business. We see significant opportunity in various regions, but also want to maintain our focus on serving our U.S.-based clientele. We’re looking closely at the Middle East and expanding our existing relationships. Ultimately, it boils down to what our customers want, and how we can best serve them.

For more information about international printing solutions from Consolidated Graphics, visit http://www.international.cgx.com.

Publish, powered by Blurb: Bound Printing from the Comfort of your Desktop

Collateral created using Publish

Competition is fierce these days, and marketing presentations, brochures, portfolios and manuals must far exceed expectations in order to fully capture the attention of your audience. Consolidated Graphics has partnered with Blurb to bring you the perfect solution: Publish, powered by Blurb. This on-demand publishing platform provides a free Adobe® InDesign® plug-in, enabling you to use your preferred design tool to create professionally-bound print collateral in quantities as few as one or as many as you need.

Here’s a Q&A with James Hill, president of Nies/Artcraft, a Consolidated Graphics company in St. Louis, who worked with Blurb to develop Publish.

CGX: What is Publish?
Hill: At its core, Publish is an on-demand, online platform that enables companies to print customized, bound print materials in low quantities, with a high quality output. Through Publish, our customers can design the materials they need, interact with Blurb’s online interface, and tap into Consolidated Graphics’ production and fulfillment platform to generate professionally bound print products, all from the comfort of their desks.

CGX: How did Publish come about?
Hill: Publish was actually a result of emerge™ 2011. (Note to readers: emerge is Consolidated Graphics’ annual marketing and printing solutions conference.) When Eileen Gittens (CEO of Blurb) spoke about Blurb during her keynote, we had so many customers asking how they could utilize this technology for their business needs. We listened to their requests and partnered up with Blurb to provide them with on-demand publishing needs.

CGX: How do you see this technology being used?
Hill: The possibilities really are endless, and it will be up to our customers to determine the true potential of this platform. We anticipate it being used for things like high-end catalogs, product manuals, important presentations, informational leave-behinds, and more. But what makes Publish so powerful is the flexibility that it places in the hands of our customers.

CGX: What design flexibility does Publish provide?
Hill: Publish delivers the functionality of Blurb within the creative framework of InDesign, offering a tremendous amount of flexibility and support for designers. The bound books are available in eight sizes, five paper substrates, and four bindery/cover choices. Publish even offers a variety of print-ready templates for all formats and page counts, as well as easy pre-flight and file transfer for proofing. That’s backed by Blurb customer service. We plan to listen to our customers to gradually introduce even more capabilities over time.

To see Publish in action – and to download the free plug-in, visit www.cgx.com/publish today! For more information, contact the Publish team at publish@nies.com.

Consolidated Graphics CFO Jon Biro “Best CFO 2012” Finalist

The Houston Business Journal has recognized our Executive Vice President and CFO Jon Biro as a finalist for 2012 best “Mid-Cap Public Company” CFO.

Several key projects contributed to his nomination including new staff, new software, and a new $8.5 million data center. During his tenure, Biro has established programs and committees to train future leaders and monitor Consolidated Graphics’ key risks. He was also able to establish an amended and restated $310 million credit facility on favorable terms in 2011.

Narrowed down from 60 nominees, the 21 chosen finalists were selected for recognition based on:

• implemented strategic plans,
• achieved or sustained profitable growth,
• identified and managed risks,
• displayed visionary leadership, and, in some cases
• turned around ailing businesses.

Winners will be announced May 25 at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Learn more about the Best CFOs of the Year.

Emerge Travels to The Big Easy

With nearly 1,000 print executives, manufacturers, suppliers and customers in attendance, Consolidated Graphics’ third annual emerge^TM conference was a smashing success. From April 17^th through 20^th, we set up shop in New Orleans, where we transformed the Hyatt Regency into a creative display of large format print, business exhibits and demonstrations of cutting edge print technology.

From personalized invitations to the Kyp webkey guests were given upon check-in, emerge showcased all that Consolidated Graphics and the printing industry is capable of providing to customers. As in years past, the focus of emerge was on pooling the minds of everyone we know who is committed to elevating the print industry and coming up with new and innovative solutions, and continuing to raise the bar of what ink on paper can accomplish.

In addition, emerge 2012 unveiled new groundbreaking developments, including Consolidated Graphics’ partnership with Blurb to create Publish, a commercial book publishing platform that is powered by Blurb and utilizes Consolidated Graphics’ workflow solutions to print as few as one bound unit of collateral or up to as many as our customers’ needs require. We also announced our joint venture with YAMAGATA Corporation in a move to expand our international operations with a dedicated facility in Gero, Japan.

We were delighted to announce our second year of Encore^TM Awards winners, and, as many of the conference attendees will attest, the quality of submitted entries to the competition was significantly higher this year with anticipation already growing to see what our customers will submit for consideration ins 2013. A special congratulations to 2012 Peoples’ Encore Award winner IKON Public Affairs/Can of Creative!

The breakout sessions and keynotes were packed with information (many guests commented that it was the best content yet), and we’ll be posting presentation and taped sessions on cgx.com soon, so you can pass along and share emerge 2012 with your colleagues.

Of course, no emerge conference is complete without a fabulous party to say thanks to everyone for a great few days of spirited discussion about the possibilities of print in today’s marketing environment. This year, we loaded up our guests on 18 authentic Mardi Gras floats, enlisted three local bands, and paraded through the streets of downtown New Orleans, ending the evening at the House of Blues, where we enjoyed a brass band, jazz room, contemporary music and more.

Stay tuned for updates on next year’s event, scheduled April 30^th through May 2^nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas!

2012: Print is here to stay

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

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

[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.