AFL Web Printing

The 2012 Printing Impressions 400 list of the largest printing companies in the United States and Canada as ranked by annual sales.

by chris bauer Managing Editor If just looking at the sales figures of the top 400 printers in North America can tell us anything, 2005 has been a pretty good reporting year for the printing industry. Of the 400 companies on our annual list, 258 have seen an increase in sales for the past fiscal year. Additionally, 125 of those 258 have seen double-digit increases. Not bad for an industry some have pegged as gasping for its last breath. Here is a look at some printing firms that are on the fast track to success—and details on how they are getting to the front

PITTSBURGH—In celebration of the final stage of the consolidation of Printing Industries of America and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation into one organization, a dedication of the newly renovated world headquarters was held recently. Chairman of the Board James Mayes Jr. and Michael Makin, president and CEO, cut the ribbon marking the entrance to the newly refurbished building. Another highlight of the event was the naming of the Ray Roper boardroom, in honor of the late PIA president. CHICAGO—Jesse Williamson has been named the 2005 Sheetfed Executive of the Year by NAPL and PIA/GATF. Williamson, president of Williamson Printing in Dallas, received the award

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 101 ('03: 97) NorthStar Print Group, Watertown, WI Total Sales (Millions): $57.40 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $56.52 Change (%): +2 Principal Officer: Richard Gasper Employees: 290 Primary Specialties: PKG 100% Web Offset Press Units: 0 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press Units: 81 Ownership: Public Plants: 3

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2003. Therefore, companies that revised their 2002 revenues may have changed their 2002 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 151 ('02: 147) The Hickory Printing Group, Hickory, NC Total Sales (Millions): $38.36 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $40.01 Change (%): -4 Principal Officer: Thomas W. Reese Employees: 237 Primary Specialties: COM 50%; ADV 25%; DM 10%; CAT 10% Web Offset Press Units: 18 Sheetfed Press

alabama TUSCALOOSA—Printing Services at the University of Alabama has purchased a Presto saddle stitching system from Muller Martini to expand its full-service finishing capabilities. florida HIALEAH—Franklin/Trade Graphics recently held an open house to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the merger of Franklin Graphics, Trade Litho and Little River Press. About 200 guests got a look at the company's two new six-color, 40˝ sheetfed presses—a Mitsubishi 3F-13 and Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LS. Among the special guests at the open house were Stanley C. Panther, mascot of the Florida Panthers hockey team, and Billy the Marlin, mascot of the Florida Marlins baseball team. MIAMI—Solo Printing has

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2002. Therefore, companies that revised their 2001 revenues may have changed their 2001 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 201 ('01: 188) Oles Envelope, Baltimore, MD Total Sales (millions): $28.70 Previous Year's (millions): $35.40 Change (%): -19 Principal Officer: John R. Young Employees: 204 Primary Specialties: PKG 100% Web Offset Units: 0 Sheetfed Offset Units: 6 Other: 0 Ownership: Private Plants: 1 202 ('01: 231)

Editor's note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2001. Therefore, companies that revised their 2000 revenues may have changed their '00 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided. 2001 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total Sales (millions):Previous Year's (millions):Change (%):Principal Officer:Employees:Primary Specialties:Web Offset Units:Sheetfed Offset Units:Other:Ownership:Plants: 201199The EGT Group, Madison Heights, MI$32.00$32.00-Jonathan Strager135COM 40%; DM 15%; CAT 15%; PUB 10%0340Private1  2001 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total Sales (millions):Previous Year's (millions):Change (%):Principal Officer:Employees:Primary Specialties: Web Offset Units:Sheetfed Offset Units:Other:Ownership:Plants: 201181Gateway Press, Louisville,

If you know the name of a printing company that you think appears on the Printing Impressions 400 list, but you're not sure of its ranking, here's an easy way to locate that firm. Simply find the company in the alphabetical listings on this page. In addition to each company's name and headquarters location, a corresponding number appears indicating that firm's ranking on the Printing Impressions 400. ABS Graphics (Addison, IL) 400 Action Printing (Fond du Lac, WI) 353 Adams Business Forms (Topeka, KS) 96 AdPlex Inc. (Houston, TX) 102 Advance Business Graphics (Mira Loma, CA) 153 AFL Web Printing (Voorhees, NJ)

Editor's note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2000. Therefore, companies that revised their 1999 revenues may have changed their '99 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 500. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.2000 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total Sales (millions):Previous Year's (millions):Change (%):Principal Officer:Employees:Primary Specialties:Web Offset Units:Sheetfed Offset Units:Other:Ownership:Plants:251236Color Arts, Racine, WI$26.70$26.00+3James O'Donnell235COM 100%009Private 1  2000 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total Sales (millions):Previous Year's (millions):Change (%):Principal Officer:Employees:Primary Specialties:Web Offset Units:Sheetfed Offset Units:Other:Ownership:Plants:252189Sinclair Printing, Los Angeles, CA$26.60$33.06-20Robert J. Sinclair152COM 100%20160Private 1  2000 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total