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There might be 135 printers on the Vendor List of the Host Committee’s Website, but only a select few made it through the “requirements process” and got the work.
Touted as the “greenest presidential convention in history,” the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) was seeking a few environmentally friendly printers. But, that’s only the half of it. The other major requirement of the DNCC was that the printer be a union shop. Considering that there are not many union shops these days, the DNCC’s order seemed pretty tall. A green, union shop. How many of those could there be?
Enter a little-known printer that quickly made big-time news.
“Companies Gain Exposure from Dem Convention Work” reads the headline in the Rocky Mountain News February 7, 2008, edition. The article continues: “BC Printing doesn’t know how much revenue it will glean printing letterhead, stationery and other materials for the Democratic National Convention Committee. But one thing is certain: Working with the DNCC will provide a significant boost for the Denver-based company in other ways. BC Printing and a handful of other local companies are finding that prestige, exposure and connections gained by working with the convention are almost as beneficial as the additional revenue it provides.”
BC Printing
Who would think that a tiny union print shop (with only six employees) could end up being the “preferred print provider” for the DNCC?
BC Printing, for one. Well, at least, it hoped so.
According to owner Dan Linn, “We bought the shop eight years ago, partly due to its niche in elections work, which is a big business every other year. There’s a significant increase in volume/revenues during election years.”
In 2007, Linn met with the DNCC, when it was looking for a Denver-based printer to produce work for the 2008 presidential convention. The DNCC required that the printer be green, as well as unionized.
“Green” being one of the main requirements, BC Printing had already made its mark. It had recently completed the PIAMS Environmental Results Program (ERP) which requires compliance with OSHA and all federal, state and local environmental regulations. Through this process, PIAMS established a green verification program that also includes requirements for recycling programs, implementing pollution prevention strategies and creating sustainability action plans, leading them to becoming PIAMS Green Members. Those companies are also in the process of becoming “Colorado Environmental Leaders” through a special state program.
Companies Mentioned:
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