Classic Printers — Keeping With Tradition

FROM A one-man operation in just a 12x12-ft. room, to becoming the third largest printing establishment in Houston, Classic Printers attributes its success over the years to traditional values coupled with embracing the latest printing technologies.

Offering clients personalized service is not always easy in the fast-paced world of printing but, for Classic co-owners Herbert W. “Sandy” Haas and his wife Claudia Haas, it comes naturally. Since the company’s outset in 1981, customers have come to rely on the commercial sheetfed shop’s “personal” approach. “We believe that the biggest formula for our success is not losing sight of the fact that people do business with people,” explains Sandy Haas.

Helping Customers Grow

“Classic understands that we don’t simply produce printed material; we produce the tools that help our customers manage and grow their businesses,” adds Terry Krailo, vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s our willingness to go the extra mile by providing true consulting and partnering services, as well as careful attention to understanding and exceeding their expectations.”

That same business philosophy is apparent today as when the company first operated out of a single room, running two small-format presses, in a small, converted home. Outgrowing the tiny space, Classic expanded into a 15,000-square-foot facility in 1984, and Sandy Haas purchased his first Heidelberg press, a KORD. Dedicated to growing his small business, he would sell and deliver completed projects during the day, and then run the KORD at night—while still wearing his suit and tie.

As business continued to grow, the company made its final move in 1999 to a 50,000-square-foot plant. Even since the early days, Sandy Haas has never turned away a complicated project. In fact, he took pride in, and still welcomes, a challenge.

“Starting out, most of my business constituted difficult print jobs that many printers, at that time, couldn’t do. I was able to complete those jobs and, as a result, customers were very pleased,” he recalls.

Since those early days, Classic has expanded its product offerings to include corporate presentation packages, annual reports, business cards, magazines, pocket folders, books, marketing collateral, publications, brochures, posters, calendars and a full array of printed materials.

In addition, the printer specializes in kitting jobs that have multiple elements integrated into the project. They often incorporate printing and diecutting, unique folds and gluing, special bindings and multi-piece inserts.

Some jobs occasionally require UV printing and Wire-O binding on plastic covers or case-bound books with cover tip-ons; ring binders with multiple tabs; and printed inserts and covers.

The company serves a broad range of vertical markets, including the advertising and design agency segments; real estate; universities; state and local government agencies; manufacturing; medical products; hospitals; newspaper advertising; direct mail; and non-profit segments. This year, Classic has been named “the official printer for the Houston Rockets” professional NBA basketball organization.

By taking calculated risks and stepping up with significant investments to expand its capacity and flexibility, Classic has experienced a 65 percent growth in just the past two years.

A predominantly Heidelberg sheetfed pressroom since 1984, Classic currently operates five Heidelberg models: a five-color, 40˝ Speedmaster CD 102 with aqueous coater; a six-color, 40˝ Speedmaster CD 102 with aqueous coater; a six-color Speedmaster 74 with aqueous coater; a two-color Quickmaster 46; and a four-color Quickmaster DI. The company also operates a four-color, 40˝ Komori SP40 perfector with aqueous coater.

In the past year, Classic has invested heavily in new equipment and software upgrades. In the pressroom, new additions include: the five-color Speedmaster CD 102 with aqueous coater and a two-color Halm Super Jet Press with perfecting. In the bindery, the company added a Buskro BK530 in-line tabbing unit, a Lantech Q-300XT stretch wrapping system and a Shankland shrink wrap system.

Enhanced Proofing

Also in the past year, Classic upgraded its Prinergy workflow and enhanced the proofing capabilities in its prepress department. Upgrades include several Kodak intermediate printers and a second Kodak Trendsetter Spectrum for high-end color proofing.

Classic Printers posted $14 million in sales last year and is on pace to record more than $15.5 million in revenues for 2007. Serving Houston and its surrounding areas, the company boasts more than 250 customers.

Customers can soon use Classic’s convenient online system to place orders, view proofs and track jobs. Each new project is assigned a project manager to supervise it—from writing initial job orders to making sure deliveries are completed on time.

The printer has made it a point to educate its clients either individually or in groups around specialized areas such as file preparation, color management and reproduction, and all areas of general production.

Moving forward, Classic will continue to remain grounded in its heritage and meet the ever-changing needs of its customers. Sandy and Claudia Haas are looking to maintain a controlled growth, making sure they consistently hit their targeted earnings objectives. In 2008, they also plan to expand into other high-value service areas.

“Our executive team will continue to evaluate new technologies and make wise investments in an ongoing effort to enhance our speed, accuracy and cost control,” concludes Claudia Haas. PI