HM Graphics Adds New Presses and Equipment

MILWAUKEE—With many business reducing their work forces and slashing budgets to stay in the black, HM Graphics has employed a somewhat different strategy: avoid layoffs and spend more on capital improvements.

This strategy kicked off with HM investing significantly over the past 24 months, with a total of more than $6.5 million in new equipment and technology.

HM Graphics is a full-service printer whose in-house capabilities include design; electronic prepress; printing; folding/gluing, diecutting and hand assembly; fulfillment; ink-jet imaging; and inventory, warehousing and mailing services.

Among the new equipment acquired are two six-color, 40˝ Heidelberg Speedmasters; a pair of two-color, 18˝ Heidelberg PM 46 presses; a Heidelberg NexPress digital press; two high-speed Iberica diecutters; and a Stahl folder with several adjunct capabilities.

Numerous software packages and prepress equipment that keep work flowing through the facility were also purchased. The investment in equipment has generated additional business from both new and existing clients, increasing the number of printed pieces produced by 40 percent. This, in turn, has kept HM Graphics' work force employed.

"We haven't succeeded in this economy by analyzing and managing numbers on a balance sheet," states HM Graphics President Jim Sandstrom. "We succeeded because we are the best at what we do.

"HM Graphics has always had strong business values, the finest quality and a passion for what we do, but you must also have the equipment that keeps pace with the technology curve," he adds. "Our clients trust us to keep them ahead of that curve, and we take that trust very seriously."