Werner Printing & Engraving: Printing What Matters

"Our new digital press helps us respond to clients' needs for the fast turnaround of marketing collateral and we use it for internal purposes, as well," Frick notes. "In terms of our capital expenditure planning for the next 12 to 24 months, it would be hard to imagine the growth plan we're embarking on without an additional piece of equipment to further accelerate our capabilities in digital printing."

Bob Werner adds that his company is keeping an eye on large-scale thermography technology for producing pocket folders, and anticipates an equipment purchase to that effect in the next year or two. The company certainly doesn't make a habit of ineffective or outlandish purchases: In an era when capital spending is guarded at best, Werner Printing & Engraving enjoys the distinction of having zero debt and owning its building.

Werner Printing & Engraving has also taken aggressive steps to augment its staff, hiring a pair of veteran engraving salespeople to strengthen the bottom line, along with Debbie Pollard Pawlowsky, the new director of sales and marketing services. Frick, of course, boasts an impressive resumé that includes stints with RR Donnelley and The Lehigh Press, along with former heavyweight firms Banta Corp., Quebecor Printing and Brookshore Lithographers. His background in mergers and acquisitions also meshes well with his new employer, which has acquired six competitors over the years.

"Going forward, we feel about a third of our growth will be organic, and two-thirds will come through selective, accretive acquisition," Frick remarks. "We're fully prepared to expand our tentacles into acquiring engravers that might not be prepared for the future—financially or strategically—or that don't have a succession plan."

It is Werner Printing & Engraving's willingness to pull the trigger on acquiring top-flight competitors that has enabled the company to set its mark as the standard for excellence in the Midwest, according to Harvey Benjamin, plant manager. "In a niche market such as engraving, what helps differentiate Werner from the rest of the field is the fact Werner was borne of the experience brought from the acquisitions of six engraving companies," Benjamin says.