BW Reprographics was founded around the time that Louis Frey Co was dissolved in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy proceeding.
From the September 2003 Issue of “Repro Report Weekly”.....
“A Closer Look at New York’s Newest: BW Reprographics”
There’s an old adage that says, “the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.” It’s an apt description for many in our familial industry, but it’s simply not ambitious enough for 20-year repro veteran Bruce Wiener. Responsible for sales and customer service satisfaction for the majority of his 20-plus years with Louis Frey Co., Wiener is proud of the solid revenue growth and loyal customer relationships developed on his watch. He has, however, wondered if there might be a better way. A better way to do what? A better way to serve today’s customers, whose demands are quite different than they were 10-20 years ago.
As a leader in the facilities management field, with numerous sites estab- lished over the years, Wiener saw an opportunity to leverage the industry’s technological advancements and in early 2003 launched BW Reprographics LLC in the heart of the Big Apple.
“It’s important to utilize the latest customer driven technologies when you begin without a structured legacy and determine how they can best position you for the future,” Wiener says. “Obviously the biggest challenge to setting a business in motion is cultivating clients and giving them a reason to move with you. When you have a 20-year history in a city like New York, and you’ve dealt with thousands of people, the name recognition is a huge asset. But in the end, you’re doing what everyone does: knocking on doors, creating added value and giving 110 percent everyday.
BW Repro has more than met the challenge. Building from the ground-up with the support of loyal customers and colleagues, Wiener opened a 3,000-sq. ft. facility near the Empire State Building and Penn Station. He has started producing numerous client orders, secured some FMs and, because many architects and engineers have migrated across the river over the last couple of years, is opening a second location in suburban New Jersey.
“It’s very exciting,” Wiener says. “Each location will be fully equipped with the best hardware out front to serve the customers’ imaging needs and the best systems software in the back office to improve client communication.”
Specifically, BW Repro is investing in cost-capture technology, Internet connectivity and other processes that cutting edge firms are using to convert from manual to automated digital workflow and improve their communications.
“In order to provide the best technology solutions, we have already established alliances with leading providers of document management software and reprographic systems to optimize our clients’ communications management efforts,” Wiener says. “We will also use technology, such as online communication and billing software packages, which will integrate with our clients’ document management and IT infrastructure to provide seamless and real- time management.”
Wiener’s aim is to provide BW Repro’s customers both high quality reproductions and “advancing values” – and by the latter he means “services that will help customers excel in their own business.”
“By concentrating on keeping our backroom operations streamlined and highly motivated, we will be able to provide our clients with a winning equation,” he says. Highest quality output plus progressive document support systems and superior value – this is the ‘new math’ that many reprographic clients are asking for.”
The equation extends to forming key alliances with companies that share a comparable vision and service ethic.
“In today’s environment, you need to be efficient, and for me that means having core professionals and forming the proper alliances. As I see it, your best alliances start with a strategic partner with an excellent product and a responsive support team, but there also has to be the sense that they’re on the same page and are equally committed to adding value to your client.”
In addition to operating the two commercial shops, BW Reprographics LLC will also be extremely active in the FM arena, an area Wiener helped pioneer several years before it became a widespread practice.
“These key ingredients – quality, dependability and continuous improvement – are even more critical in the facilities management environment,” Wiener explains. “The ongoing value of FM services is changing rapidly. Reprographic firms must recognize this value and be proactive in advancing their abilities for the customer.”
Joel’s comment (actually, a question): Is BW Reprographics still "independent", still owned by Bruce Weiner?
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