A Century of Color: Alder Color Solutions and GWI Celebrate 100 Years of Ink, Innovation, and Partnerships

On June 27, 2025, Portland, Oregon-based Alder Color Solutions and Great Western Ink (GWI) are hosting an open house to celebrate 100 years in business. We caught up with Alder Color Solutions' owner Keith Voigt to find out more about the event.

Printing Impressions (PI): This is your 100-year anniversary. What do you credit as the biggest reason for your long-term success? 
Keith Voigt: Doing our own manufacturing has really been beneficial especially through COVID and during the lean times. Evolving with an essential industry and having a great crew to work with.

PI: What made you decide to have an open house?  
Voigt: There are few family-owned ink [companies] of our age. We have had a lot of partnerships in the industry over the past 100 years, we feel that these “younger” relationships will help us to grow into the digital world and push us further into future.

PI: What should people attending the open house expect to experience? (equipment, software, demos, etc.?)  
Voigt: They should expect to experience us … by that I mean the atmosphere, the people who push and get that 1-lb. can of ink out the door so a job can get done, and the great personalities that make up this great company.

PI: What has the biggest change been for the company over the years? 
Voigt: Although GWI has changed a few hands over the years, we believe that adding a color technology company (Alder Color Solutions) to the mix completes our services. We have gone from being a mostly conventional ink manufacturer — to being a one-stop shop for all things needed in the graphic arts industry. One hundred years of building a great network of suppliers and team members.

PI: What are you most excited about for the future of the business? 
Voigt: Our team, they bring lots of talent and energy to all our specialties (color, proofing media,) that we do.

PI: What advice would you give other PSPs looking to still be in business 100 years from now?  
Voigt: Find a great team, push them to succeed, support them where needed and change faster than your competition.