First Edge Solutions Acquires Proven Direct, Doubling Capacity at Its Milwaukee Headquarters
MILWAUKEE—May 19, 2014—First Edge Solutions has acquired Proven Direct, a Milwaukee-based provider of on-demand marketing, document output services, and photo book publishing. The acquisition adds to First Edge’s national network of sales offices and production facilities in Milwaukee, Phoenix and Atlanta.
"Strategically, this gives us a competitive advantage of expanding our one-to-one technology and our data-driven communication platform," said First Edge President and CEO, Robert M. Kraft. "They have a first-class digital print and mail facility with good clients, and we’ll add value to their operation with our proprietary multi-channel software and national footprint."
The acquisition of Proven Direct effectively doubles the First Edge capacity at its Milwaukee Headquarters, making it one of the few companies in the country with the ability to affordably roll out a client’s multi-channel national distribution strategy.
"With this expansion, First Edge is better positioned to negotiate national contracts with suppliers to drive down costs for customers," noted Kraft. "From an IT standpoint, our strength in applying data management to both marketing and business-critical applications immediately benefits Proven Direct’s customers. For example, they now have access to our software innovations like OrderNet, our Web-to-print platform."
The acquisition also significantly boosts First Edge’s printing, finishing and mailing capabilities through the addition of all Proven Direct manufacturing equipment. Among the acquired pieces, highlights include six HP Indigo presses, two Videojet BX Inkjet printers and an Axode Video Matching System.
"With the additional equipment we are able to not only increase capacity in Milwaukee, but in our Atlanta and Phoenix locations as well," noted vice president of manufacturing Mike Herald. "Now we can handle every job in any of our three production facilities, which increases our production efficiency and reduces costs. We’ve added the ability to produce hard cover photo books and other unique products giving our customers a variety of printing options that they didn’t have before."
First Edge Solutions’ corporate headquarters will move to the former Proven Direct facility at 1301 West Canal Street in Milwaukee.
About First Edge Solutions
First Edge Solutions delivers innovative multi-channel communication, print, and document management services. One of the largest digital print communication firms in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia, the company started in April of 2003 and has experienced a steady growth rate year after year. First Edge focuses on providing clients with innovative, cost-effective, and automated communication solutions using a strong technology foundation. Those technology solutions can be applied to Web, e-mail, mobile, social media, digital print, traditional offset print, mailing, fulfillment, and distribution services.
Source: First Edge Solutions.
