Hopkins Printing

CHICAGO—Four new members of the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame were inducted during a gala event coinciding with the 19th annual Gold Ink Awards during Graph Expo last month. Shown at the event are, from left: James Hopkins, president/CEO, Hopkins Printing; Dave Leskusky, group president/publisher, Printing Impressions; Jesse Williamson, president, Williamson Printing; Ray…

2006 Hall of Fame Inductees: James Hopkins’ Speech

CHICAGO—The Windy City is the place to be this month as thousands of printers from across the country converge upon the McCormick Place South complex October 15-18 for Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006. Products and services for the graphic arts industry will encompass more than 400,000 square feet of space. Nearly 600 exhibitors have committed to the event, which reportedly will be the largest Graph Expo since 2000. Among the evening festivities is the annual Gold Ink Awards and Hall of Fame Gala, sponsored by North American Publishing (parent company of Printing Impressions), on October 16. Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame inductees Jim

THERE’S LITTLE doubt that Jim Hopkins personifies the concept of a self-made man. That the road to success wasn’t paved, and actually began in his garage, makes his story all the more compelling. Hopkins serves as president and CEO of Hopkins Printing, a general commercial printer based in Columbus, OH, that does $16 million a year in business. His voyage into the world of printing seems to be an accident of time and space or, to be more specific, a pleasant set of circumstances. And Hopkins can thank his wife for helping the stars to align just right. Still, make no mistake about it.

JUST AS Major League Baseball fans look forward to October for the culmination of a long season with the World Series, printers move into autumn with thoughts of the industry’s largest trade show in the Americas for 2006, Graph Expo & Converting Expo, fittingly held in Chicago, home of the reining world champion White Sox. This year’s Graph Expo & Converting Expo, taking place October 15-18 at the McCormick Place South complex, should provide plenty of action for attendees. Exhibit space has topped 400,000 square feet, with nearly 600 exhibiting companies in attendance. It will be the largest Graph Expo show held since 2000.

Pearl Pressman Liberty Celebrates Centennial PHILADELPHIA—Pearl Pressman Liberty Communications Group (PPLCG) appropriately chose The Franklin Institute as a backdrop to host its 100th anniversary celebration, which was attended by dozens of long-time employees and customers. The event featured a traditional birthday cake, an oversized card for attendees to sign and even a special appearance by Ben Franklin himself. Terry Remaly, plant manager at Hopkins Printing, Columbus, OH, was honored with the “Craftsman of the Year” award by The Columbus Club of Printing House Craftsmen. In his 20 years at Hopkins Printing, Remaly has held positions as pressman, pressroom supervisor and his current position as plant manager. The

IT WOULD be foolish to overlook how valuable an experienced, committed and skilled set of employees is to a company. This is especially true in an industry such as the graphic arts, with its strong focus on technology, trends toward computer-based processes and a continued shortage of qualified labor. The latter is an ongoing problem for Suttle-Straus in Waunakee, WI, admits President John Berthelsen, who adds that the lack of skilled workers in the industry has limited the company’s ability to grow and expand as rapidly as he would like. “We have now geared ourselves much more towards identifying and hiring bright, motivated entry-level people and

Bindery Gear Heads to East Coast Shop LEBANON, PA—Colortech Inc., a full-service commercial printer, recently installed a Vijuk 321-T saddlestitcher. Things Get Bigger in Texas After Install MESQUITE, TX— IntegraColor Inc. has purchased a five-color, 81˝ KBA Rapida 205 sheetfed press, making IntegraColor the first printer in the Southwest with 81˝ litho capabilities. The press has been configured with a special board-handling package and is also to be equipped with UV facilities for printing on plastics. It also incorporates an ICS slitter system and non-stop pile changing for the feeder and delivery. KBA has added its own Densitronic quality control

The Research & Engineering Council of the National Association for Printing Leadership has named Scott Repa, pressroom operations manager at Brown Printing, East Greenville, PA, its third Pressroom Operations Manager of the Year. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, has appointed Kevin Cooper, former executive with RR Donnelley, as an assistant professor in the Graphic Communication Department. Cooper comes to Cal Poly with more than 20 years of executive-level experience in the graphic communication industry. His teaching assignments will include strategic management, human resources, supervision and web printing technologies. Also, Michael Cunningham, founder and former CEO and president of Cunningham Graphic International has joined Cal

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 303 ('03: 319) Freeport Press, Freeport, OH Total Sales (Millions): $15.30 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $13.85 Change (%): +10 Principal Officer: David G. Pilcher Employees: 140 Primary Specialties: PUB 40%; DM 20%; ADV 20%; CAT 10% Web Offset Press Units: 24 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press