For the Pioneer Group in Big Rapids, MI, the Need for Web is Far From Dead

While many newspaper groups have shut their presses down, reduced publishing days or moved online entirely, the Pioneer Group did the exact opposite—investing in the power of print.

Father and son owners Jack and John Batdorff not only believe that the future of hyper local newspapers is bright, but that there is still an important need for web offset printing, as well.

Headquartered in Big Rapids, MI, the Pioneer Group was established more than 150 years ago as a newspaper company. Throughout the years, products were acquired to grow its newspaper holdings and, later, telephone directories were added to its product mix in the 1980s.

On the printing side, the company was one of the first in the Midwest to shift to offset printing when a Harris Cottrell V-15A was acquired in the 1960s. But, in 2000, with increasing page, color and speed demands, the Batdorffs decided to buy a new press and build a centralized printing and distribution facility to house it. With the increased capacity, a commercial printing operation was born.

John Batdorff, the company's president and CEO, represents the fourth generation of the Batdorff family ownership. His father, Jack, is chairman of the board and still has a guiding presence within the organization. One can often find him sitting in his office in the company's headquarters, getting involved in community affairs or strolling through the newsroom talking with staff.

Automation Drives Productivity

When looking for a new press, the Batdorffs decided it was time to position themselves as a leader within the web printing industry. They began plans to build a new, 17,000-square-foot printing facility that, a year later, would be the home to the company's new 14-unit Heidelberg Mercury press. The press features automatic roll splicers and two folders, so it can run two jobs simultaneously.

In addition, the printing facility employs a computer-to-plate workflow, a stitch and trim bindery and inserting equipment.

"This is an exciting time for the Pioneer Group," says John Batdorff. "We truly believe that there was, and still is, a need for web printing, especially when so many other publications are shutting their presses down. When we were configuring the press, the trend within the industry was to have narrower webs, which we did too, but we decided to take it a step further and get a press with a shorter cutoff. In our mind, a shorter cutoff provides customers greater format options and lower costs for paper," he adds.

"I remember buying and installing the Harris with my dad," the senior Batdorff recalls. "It was very rewarding and a big company step to do it again with my son, John."

During the recent recession, when other larger newspapers cut staffing, lost circulation and struggled financially, the Big Rapids Pioneer posted 16 consecutive months of positive circulation growth.

COO John Norton provides day-to-day direction for the 125 company employees. A 15-year veteran of the organization, he thinks highly of the corporate philosophy. "Local family ownership is rare these days. Both our communities and our employees benefit from it," he says. "Jack and John are progressive thinkers—starting a commercial printing venture when we bought the new press is an extension of that thinking," he adds.

Throughout the organization, a focus on people is ingrained in the corporate culture. "We work hard, but play hard too," Norton says. He and Jack Batdorff recently were runners up in the company's annual euchre tournament.

The company's commercial printing clients are also held in high regard. "We strive to provide them with quality printing and exceptional customer service," notes Laura Waltz, commercial sales manager. "Many are publishers too, so we understand their needs and try to help beyond a printer-only perspective."

Currently, Pioneer's commercial print division serves other newspapers, chambers, grocery stores and customers of all types throughout the state, printing various broadsheets, tabloids, mini tabloids, calendars, class schedule books and grocery store flyers. The commercial division accounts for more than 50 percent of all of Pioneer's printing and still has room for additional growth.

John Batdorff believes that smaller, privately owned companies have a huge advantage in being adaptable and implementing necessary changes. "We're studying a new press configuration to maximize efficiency and looking at a remote color key system to reduce paper waste," Batdorff adds.

In addition to the commercial print division, the Pioneer Group publishes two daily newspapers, three weekly newspapers, free shopping guides, niche publications, seven telephone directories and an array of online services under its 115 Digital brand. PI