Flower City Printing — Going Above and Beyond

Based in Rochester—also known as the “Flower City”—since 1970, the company was founded by five partners and transitioned from a trade-like shop to a commercial printer in just six months time. In 1991, when a client needed litho labels printed, the company purchased its first large-format press, a 55˝ Planeta, which paved its way into the large-format segment.

“Many large-format printers at that time were downsizing to grasp a lot of the technology that was available specifically on 40˝ and smaller presses, such as automatic makeready stations,” recalls Bill Oliveri, president of FCP’s parent company, Flower City Group. “But our decision to upsize gave us a really nice window into the large-format arena.”

Large-format printing proved to be the right move for FCP. In 2007 alone, the company posted $55 million in sales; was ranked #117 in the PRINTING IMPRESSIONS 400; and was a recipient of a PIA/GATF 2007 Best Workplace in the Americas Award. The company currently has 292 employees, and boasts 300 active customers. To better service a national clientele, FCP maintains sales offices across the nation.

In the past two years, the printer has invested almost $7 million in an additional facility, new equipment and software. In addition, the company is in the process of installing a six-color, 73˝ MAN Roland 900XXL UV press. Other investments include an eight-color, 13˝ Nilpeter flexo press and development of a customizable Web-based ordering system called FCP SORDS. The new system has led to a 20 percent productivity improvement, tying all three plants together.

Specialized Facilities

In 2006, FCP purchased its third facility, a 150,000-square-foot kit packaging, contract packaging and fulfillment center on 19 acres of land in Rochester. The company now has more than 400,000 square feet of climate-controlled space for manufacturing, warehousing, kit packing and distribution, spread across its three facilities.