Venerable Ranking Achieves Milestone –Michelson

This issue marks the 30th annual Printing Impressions 400 listing of the largest printing companies in the United States and Canada, as ranked by annual sales. It’s a milestone that shouldn’t be taken lightly, given all the upheaval within the commercial printing industry and the publications that once covered it. Kudos to the 400 companies appearing on our 2013 rankings—and thanks for the continued reader engagement and advertising support that enables us to compile this prestigious list annually.

Long-time subscribers will recall that it used to be the Printing Impressions 500, but the list was reduced to 400 companies some years ago in response to industry consolidation. Sadly, that trend continues, with the latest blockbuster deal being the acquisition of Consolidated Graphics and its 70 plants by RR Donnelley. (Consolidated remains on this year’s list, however, because the transaction is not expected to be finalized until Q1 2014.) There have also been a flurry of much smaller M&A deals and plant closings during the past year. Yet, as shown on this year’s rankings, several companies are growing and finding success within a changing industry landscape.

Although the makeup of their products and services may look different, the basic blocking-and-tackling fundamentals remain the same. They listen to, and foresee, customer needs and then provide targeted, measurable solutions that meet, and hopefully surpass, client expectations. This, increasingly, removes the emphasis of traditional print production into other value-added services, like Web-to-print storefronts; marketing services; social media marketing; data and Website services; mobile marketing and apps; as well as digital, wide-format digital and even interactive print that marries print, mobile and the Web.

The growth of digital printing is strongly reflected in this year’s PI 400. Note that we now indicate various in-house printing processes, including analog and digital technologies, for each company on the list to better specify their overall production capabilities.

While change may be the new normal, our publication’s mission remains the same. Continue to rely on us for useful information and insight to help you make critical business decisions. December is also the time of year to reflect on our many blessings. We are very grateful for the trust you continue to place in us. Happy holidays!