Chatham Group Printing Presses Rolling Again
GLASTONBURY, CT—Chatham Printing, a family-owned business formerly based in Newington, CT, plans to reopen this month. Now known as The Chatham Group, and located here, the printer features many of the same staff and services, plus a few new offerings.
"As with Chatham Printing, our new operation is a mid-sized, sheetfed shop with capabilities ranging from two- to six-color, museum-quality reproduction, in-house diecutting and fulfillment services," says Dave Eck, president of The Chatham Group. "In addition, we're also offering some new Internet-based solutions," he adds.
Eck and his father, Jim, made the decision to reopen Chatham after an unsuccessful joint venture that recently dissolved. Two years ago, with retirement beckoning to Jim, the Ecks entered into an agreement with a New Jersey-based company. The equipment and staff from their Newington print shop was moved to a new facility in Windsor, CT, where they combined staff and equipment. However, the new company was unsuccessful in its bid to retain Chatham's large customer base.
"Looking back on it, I think the problem was a combination of different cultures and expectations, and we were unable to resolve the managerial barriers to success," explains Dave Eck. "We were very unhappy with what was going on up there, but felt powerless to do anything about it." He notes that when Chatham's customers failed to get the service they had always received and expected, they went elsewhere.
With the relationship between Chatham and the New Jersey company now over, Jim has come out of retirement and the Ecks are back on their own once more. They hope to win back many of their old clients.
The Chatham Group now runs six-, five- and four-color Heidelberg presses along with a two-color press for stationery. Chatham also offers full finishing capabilities with diecutting, stitching and miniature folding. They have updated their prepress department with the installation of computer-to-plate capabilities.
"We have the experience, the technology and the desire to make The Chatham Group every bit as successful as Chatham Printing was," remarks Dave Eck. "For many designers, art directors and printers, we were the 'go to' printer and we hope they feel that way again with The Chatham Group."
