Consolidated Graphics: The Dukes of Digital
Jon Biro, executive vice president, chief financial and accounting officer, notes that investments over the past two years have enabled the company to nurture what he calls the "world's largest digital platform." CGX has digital super centers in St. Louis; Minneapolis; Memphis, TN; and Medford, OR. Internationally, CGX has a digital center in Prague, the Czech Republic, as well as one in Yokohama, Japan.
"We have developed a technology backbone that our customers appreciate because we have (equipment) redundancy, handle their data securely and offer 24/7 uptime to support their business," Biro states. "Additionally, we have made investments in custom software applications such as our Web-to-print storefront that enable us to offer added value by creating solutions for our customers. We also have made investments to ensure that the facilities and equipment we utilize to serve clients are in top-notch condition."
Cross-media communication is a key for the future of CGX's marketing initiatives, though keep in mind that the cradle-to-grave campaign is the key to increasing the customer's response rate, and at the heart of what they're trying to accomplish.
"Many printers can provide clients with a PURL and a basic personalized campaign," Grohs adds. "But you need to offer the whole ball of wax, and that's where we're seeing the most opportunities."
Grohs is particularly proud of the company's online storefront technology, which was developed internally 12 years ago and has since been modified. "Our online storefront provides immediate benefits, allowing customers to manage their inventories better, giving them reporting, as well as the ability for all stakeholders to order, customize and distribute product," he says. "It reduces obsolescence and inventories."
CGX prides itself on home-spun innovations. Its most recent example is a flex mailer, a cost-effective, automated way to send certain items, such as samples and promotional products, through the mail. It was introduced to clients and CGX's 650-member sales force during the emerge conference in April.
