JohnsByrne Co.

DIFFERENT ROADS can lead to success. Some are straight on, filled with excitement and opportunity. Some are long and winding, wrought with trials and tribulations. But in the race to printing prosperity, whether firms take the high or low road, or simply the one less traveled, it proves there are multiple avenues to sales growth. Here’s a sampling of fast-track firms appearing on this year’s Printing Impressions 400. Synergy Graphics, Plymouth, MN Most Recent Fiscal Year Sales: $66 Million Previous Fiscal Year Sales: $20 Million Change: 230 percent “Why are we successful?” ponders Mike O’Meara, Synergy Graphics president. “Lots of acquisitions! We were just

A TRADITION of providing quality services and a bloodline in the graphic arts industry have allowed Niles, IL-based JohnsByrne Co. to continually expand and move into new business areas. Founded in 1959 by John B. Gustafson, along with his parents John E. and Marie Byrne Gustafson, the company got its start as a shop on Printer’s Row in Chicago. The printer’s moniker was created by taking two Johns—the first name of both father and son—combined with Marie’s maiden name, Byrne. So the company known as JohnsByrne was born, along with a mission to provide superior printing solutions and outstanding customer service. That focus is carried

(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.) 203 ('03: 191) Conley Printing, Beaver Dam, WI Total Sales (Millions): $25.31 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $26.68 Change (%): -5 Principal Officer: Jim Conley Employees: 170 Primary Specialties: PUB 84%; SPEC 10% (Retail reprints); CAT 5% Web Offset Press Units: 46 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is to return on investment (ROI) what exercise is to weight loss. In the latter scenario, the early stages of a new workout program can be quite transforming. It only takes a couple of days at the gym to notice a difference in the way you feel—the air seems fresher, the body feels invigorated and experiences more energy in the beginning and the end of the day. Even after just one week of intense weight lifting and cardiovascular training, one's body can feel like a million bucks. But after one week, don't step on a scale.

(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.) 252 ('02: 262) Specialty Printing, Niles, IL Total Sales (Millions): $21.90 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $21.40 Change (%): +2 Principal Officer: Adam M. LeFebvre Employees: 92 Primary Specialties: DM 45%; ADV 30%; COM 25% Web Offset Press Units: 16 Sheetfed Press Units: 12 Other Press Units:

By Erik Cagle We're looking for ways to cut costs out of our business," states Jack Gustafson, COO for Niles, IL-based JohnsByrne Co., "because we can't afford to take any more profit out of our business." It is the 21st century rally cry of the commercial printer. With most hardware options throughout the printing workflow already exhausting comprehensive automation avenues, offering the most competitive prices to print buyers has become the business-to-business equivalent of shaving time off the best 100-meter dash standard. But JohnsByrne—a $20 million per year printer that produces brochures, annual reports, direct mail pieces, catalogs, POP materials and specialty printing—had

NILES, IL—The JohnsByrne Co. reportedly has become the first printer to successfully implement computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), thanks to the implementation work done by Creo, Printcafe and Komori America. "Our vision has always been to be a turnkey business, handling every aspect of the printing process, taking a job from prepress through to fulfillment," says Corey Gustafson, president of JohnsByrne, which reports annual sales in excess of $20 million. JohnsByrne's fully integrated system now ties estimating, scheduling, the creative desktop, digital halftone proofing, computer-to-plate imaging, prepress production data, press and finishing processes to its Printcafe management information system in a single, streamlined workflow. "When we

(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.) 252 ('01: 275) Commercial Communications, Hartland, WI Total Sales (millions): $22.38 Previous Year's (millions): $22.75 Change (%): -2 Principal Officer: Robert D. Hegwood Employees: 250 Primary Specialties: PUB 50%; COM 30%; SPEC 10% (On-demand); BKS 10% Web Offset Units: 6 Sheetfed Offset Units: 18 Other: 14

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: 251217Central States Business Forms, Dewey, OK$25.84$28.88-11Kenneth G. Adams255BF 99%; SPEC 1% (Envelopes, labels,computer supplies) 7424Private2  Parent: Adams Investment, Bartlesville, OK  2001 Ranking:Previous Year's Ranking:Company:Total Sales (millions):Previous Year's (millions):Change (%):Principal Officer:Employees:Primary Specialties:Web Offset

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)