Pictorial Offset--Reducing Costs Through Efficient Management
November 1998
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The New York/New Jersey market is a territory where even the top companies must constantly battle to stay alive.
In this area, printing is an industry where the competition is especially fierce. Plagued by small margins and countless competitors, printing companies have found it essential to have effective and reliable management systems.
Carlstadt, NJ-based Pictorial Offset Corp. is a printer that epitomizes the gold standard for a customer-oriented approach to business. As one of the top 200 printers in the United States, Pictorial serves the metropolitan area by being the closest full-service web and sheetfed printer to Manhattan.
How has Pictorial set itself apart in such a difficult market? The managing partners of the company—Lester, Gary and Donald Samuels—attribute their success to consistent efforts to reduce costs while improving quality and service.
Started by their grandfather 60 years ago, Pictorial has grown to become a $50 million company. "We understand this market because we've been here for a long time," remarks Lester Samuels, who specializes in the business's financial operations. "We know that customers in this area demand tight deadlines and solutions that will meet the needs of their programs. We don't just strive to meet these needs; we make it happen no matter what. One of the ways we do this is by ensuring that operations are at peak efficiency in order to be productive and price competitive in comparison to the rest of the nation."
Pictorial has undergone a re-engineering effort to reduce internal costs. To help achieve that goal and manage the plant, Pictorial uses the Logic Management System. "Through Logic, we have the ability to reduce our overhead costs," says Samuels. "Instead of costly paper transactions between different departments, the Logic computer system decreases the amount of time involved in these transactions."
First, Job Costing helps Pictorial to track job status and crew performance. Press crews at Pictorial can view their Logic productivity reports to determine where they have been successful and what they need to improve.
Logic has also helped Pictorial eliminate 50 percent of its paperwork. "To do this, we're making the computer an integral part of job performance—no one will be able to do their job unless they use the computer. Then the dissemination of information will be even better," states Samuels.
Instant Answers
"One of our biggest goals...is to be able to answer any client's question on any phone, anywhere in the plant," adds Samuels.
In this area, printing is an industry where the competition is especially fierce. Plagued by small margins and countless competitors, printing companies have found it essential to have effective and reliable management systems.
Carlstadt, NJ-based Pictorial Offset Corp. is a printer that epitomizes the gold standard for a customer-oriented approach to business. As one of the top 200 printers in the United States, Pictorial serves the metropolitan area by being the closest full-service web and sheetfed printer to Manhattan.
How has Pictorial set itself apart in such a difficult market? The managing partners of the company—Lester, Gary and Donald Samuels—attribute their success to consistent efforts to reduce costs while improving quality and service.
Started by their grandfather 60 years ago, Pictorial has grown to become a $50 million company. "We understand this market because we've been here for a long time," remarks Lester Samuels, who specializes in the business's financial operations. "We know that customers in this area demand tight deadlines and solutions that will meet the needs of their programs. We don't just strive to meet these needs; we make it happen no matter what. One of the ways we do this is by ensuring that operations are at peak efficiency in order to be productive and price competitive in comparison to the rest of the nation."
Pictorial has undergone a re-engineering effort to reduce internal costs. To help achieve that goal and manage the plant, Pictorial uses the Logic Management System. "Through Logic, we have the ability to reduce our overhead costs," says Samuels. "Instead of costly paper transactions between different departments, the Logic computer system decreases the amount of time involved in these transactions."
First, Job Costing helps Pictorial to track job status and crew performance. Press crews at Pictorial can view their Logic productivity reports to determine where they have been successful and what they need to improve.
Logic has also helped Pictorial eliminate 50 percent of its paperwork. "To do this, we're making the computer an integral part of job performance—no one will be able to do their job unless they use the computer. Then the dissemination of information will be even better," states Samuels.
Instant Answers
"One of our biggest goals...is to be able to answer any client's question on any phone, anywhere in the plant," adds Samuels.
Companies Mentioned:
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Best Practices for Print Automation
Printing Production Management
