Full Speed Ahead

Commercial printers are moving into the world of packaging. Not all of them, but enough that it’s been getting a lot of attention over the past several years.

Many times, the first approach is to print packaging items for existing clients that use paperboard materials—substrates commercial printers use routinely and are familiar with. In addition, they are up-to-speed on required colors and the demands placed on them by existing clients. Other package printing segments, such as traditional product labeling and printing of flexible packaging materials, would be much further down the pike—if in the business plan at all.

From a business-strategy standpoint, commercial printers may look at the package-printing market in two ways. The commercial printing sector follows economic swings very closely. So, many of these printers look to packaging as a possible source of new revenues, since packaging is much more recession-resistant.

Conversely, some commercial printers approach package printing as a natural extension of their businesses and as a way to grow and expand the products and services they provide their customers. Nupress of Miami, Inc. followed this path.

Commercially successful

Nupress of Miami’s Founder/Owner Ricky de la Vega started the company in February 1995. “Like many businesses, we started with humble beginnings,” says de la Vega. “All that we had to start with were two AB DICK machines and the drive to survive and the will to keep going.”

The heart of Nupress’s business is as a supplier of retail and wholesale commercial printing, from business cards to complex projects. It uses a progressive concept towards printing. “We don’t simply print a job and deliver it,” noted de la Vega. “We are actively collaborating in delivering ‘Total Customer Satisfaction.’”

The company’s motto is: “Your company’s image and expertise, in harmony with our manufacturing skills, create a perfect printing partnership. We understand our responsibility to maintain and enhance your reputation at every stage.” It is the belief in this mission statement to which de la Vega attributes much of the company’s success.

Expanding facilities

Since 1995, Nupress has made a steady stream of investments to support its growth. In 1996, it purchased its first Heidelberg equipment with a Stahl Folder and a new Heidelberg GTO four-color press. The next year it purchased a Speedmaster 74 two-color press and in 1999, a Speedmaster CD 40 five-color press with coating capability.

This expansion led to a move into what is now its 50,000 sq. ft. facility. “We moved into our new facility with a lot of bills, but [with] hope of progress always on our minds,” said Litsy Pittser, chief financial officer.

The company must have paid its bills because its facility expansion continued. In 2003, it added another Speedmaster CD 40 six-color press, along with a Speedmaster CD five-color press with an aqueous coater and an extended delivery section.

Throughout this time, the company continually upgraded its bindery equipment with acquisitions of Heidelberg folders and cutters, along with saddle stitchers and a Tigra perfect binding system from Muller Martini. In addition, Pittser says Nupress added key people along the way who contributed significantly to the company’s success.

Today, Nupress employs more than 60 employees, and features five offset printing presses, a full bindery department, diecutting department, and a prepress department that offers direct-to-plate capabilities. The company operates three 8-hour shifts, seven days a week to support customer requirements.

Plus packaging

Nupress’s focus on customer needs resulted in its foray into packaging. “We have customers that are in the cosmetics field and we do their pop-up displays and boxes,” she said. “We also have customers with lines of perfumes that we do boxes for.”

To support the company’s move into packaging, Nupress purchased a Heidelberg Dymatrix 105CS diecutter and ECO 150-2 folding carton gluer. Pittser said they continued to turn to Heidelberg because of the long-established, mutual respect that has been developed over the years. “We are proud to say that we are a ‘Heidelberg shop,’” she says.

The desire to keep production in house led to the company opening up its diecutting department. “We realized foremost that we wanted to keep as much control of the jobs in production as possible,” explained Pittser.

With this in-house capability to provide these services, Pittser reports that the company’s sales have increased.

When Nupress entered the packaging arena, it realized it was entering new territory and planned accordingly. “When we established this department, we had done a business plan which covered out-of-pocket expenses for start-up costs,” she notes. The company hired key personnel who were industry vetereans and knew how to cost the jobs. Having a good business plan and personnel paid off as the company reached the break-even point in less than a year.

Full speed ahead

The future is bright for Nupress and the growth of its package-printing efforts are part of this outlook. “I believe that again, when we see that the business needs to expand, we will react with no hesitation,” says Pittser. “In this industry, it is imperative to be on top of technology—what is out there in the market to help you either cut costs, improve raw materials, or anything to speed up production—in order to expand and be able to accept more work. This is ongoing and it is what fuels a company.”

As far as any obstacles in the way, de la Vega takes a self-assured approach. “I believe there are no issues that one does not create. If you conduct good business, have a reputable company, and respect your employees and peers, then no issues will arise. Being on top of the changing markets, getting involved in the latest technologies, and providing good service will also bring you success. The ­bottom line: Be on track or your train will derail.” pP