Reprographers - how’d your first quarter end up?

Today, I received an e-mail from the President of a 35+ year old reprographics company (and they are a market leader in their market), and, given what the reprographics industry has been going through the past few years, he had some outstanding news to share. (I’ve intentionally deleted his name and the company’s name. He indicated that it would be okay for me to post his comments.)

Joel-

Just thought I would send you an email about our first quarter. We have yet to get the final numbers for March, but we expect the 1^st quarter to be the second most profitable 1^stquarter in the history of our company. Sales were not the highest, but bottom-line was very good. I contribute this to cutting expenses and a pick-up in business. Like I said, sales were not the highest, but the sales were much better than the previous three 1^st quarters.

Full-service reprographics operation in Memphis, TN – Memphis Reprographics, LLC - two of the owners were formerly with Plan Express

I visited this company’s web-site, this morning, and noticed that two of the owners are ex-of Plan Express. I also noticed that they use “ReproConnect” as the software for their e-planroom service.

Gary Pind, President and Owner

Gary has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of reprographics, document management and logistics, with particular emphasis in large format scanning and printing and color reproduction (HP plotter System and Vidar Color scanning). He has extensive knowledge in multi-facility management and executive leadership with a strong emphasis on service quality. Prior to co-founding Memphis Reprographics, LLC, Gary was the Director of Production and Plan Room Processing for Plan Express, a national reprographics Company. In his duties he over saw the implementation of new facilities around the country and was on the cutting edge of digital document management. Before Plan Express he was the acting President of Campbell Blueprint and a prominent member of the Board of Directors for Campbell Blueprint & Aero Blueprint. He was instrumental in acquiring the first scan to print system in the Memphis area, beginning a new direction in the local printing industry. Gary has overseen the largest printing jobs undertaken in the Memphis and surrounding areas including FedEx World Headquarters, Gold Strike Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Isle of Capri, The Grand Casino, Memphis IRS and the new FedEx Forum.

Chris McNally, Vice President and Owner

A graduate of Rhodes College here in Memphis, TN , Chris has an extensive background in Business Management, Logistics, Facility Management and Print Production. Chris has received extensive training on Oce Print Systems, attending Training school at Oce’s Itasca facility in Illinois. Prior to co-founding Memphis Reprographics, LLC Chris ran a print facility program for one of the largest multi-phased Resort Developments in the country. As a past employee of Plan Express, Inc, Chris has worked with National Retailers, multi-national Developers, General Contractors, Architects and Engineers, in both document management applications and print fulfillment services.

Greg McNally, Owner

Greg has over 30 years of experience in logistics and distribution working for the Federal Government. In addition to his years as a civil servant, he also built from the ground up his own licensed and bonded General Contracting Company. Greg knows the importance of reliable service, and understands the demands and pressures of the modern day.

http://www.memphisreprographics.com/

Downtown St Petersburg FL – Compilation of Real Estate Development Projects – Existing, Under Construction, Proposed – as of September 2011

While doing some Google-research this morning, I came across an interesting document that was published, last fall, by the City of St Petersburg, FL.

What a great way to learn the real estate development market in a city. Question; has your city (or county) published a document similar to this one? If so, get a copy of it.

If you choose to open the document I’ve placed in my Google-Docs library, please be patient; it’s large file and will take time to fully download.

On the left hand side of the pages, there’s color coding to indicate whether projects are “existing,” “under construction”, or “proposed.” I noticed that only 2 of the 150 projects mentioned are “under construction.” There are quite a lot of “proposed” projects.

Link to document:

http://tinyurl.com/85qy5n6

R.R. Donnelley to close Mendota (IL) plant

Anybody out there want an excellent deal on a large commercial printing plant?

Mendota is about a 2-hour drive west from Chicago.

By Alejandra Cancino — Chicago Tribune

Created: Friday, March 30, 2012 11:33 a.m. CDT

R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co. (NYSE: RRD) will close its Mendota printing plant at the end of May in a move that will affect 207 employees.

The pending closure will be devastating for the city, Mayor David Boelk said Thursday. Boelk said the company's announcement caught him off guard, adding that he learned about the closing on Wednesday when an employee called him in tears.

"I feel for all (the workers). There are quite a few families where both spouses work at the plant," Boelk said.

R.R. Donnelley is one of the largest employers in the city of 7,340 residents. As such, the closing will affect other businesses, including the local post office, which Boelk said was spared in the latest round of Postal Service closings because of the volume of mail generated by the plant. Boelk said he hopes to find a buyer for the plant that could rehire the workers.

The commercial printing company acquired the Mendota plant in 1992 after purchasing Combined Communication Services Inc., a magazine printer. Donnelley employs about 58,000 workers and makes store signs, labels, packaging, receipts, catalogs, coupons, direct mail, bills, books and magazines.

R.R. Donnelley has sought to adapt itself to an increasingly digital world in the last eight years. As part of that reorganization, it laid off 2,899 workers in 2011.

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Eleven years ago, RR Donnelly closed a 100,000 sq ft printing plant in St Petersburg, FL; I pass this printing plant on my way to/from the library in St Pete. Today, it’s a storage facility. That worked for St Pete, a city with a population of around 245,000. I seriously doubt that a large storage facility In Mendota would work, since there are less than 8,000 people residing in Mendota.

R.R. Donnelley to Close St. Petersburg Printing Facility

Press release from the issuing company

CHICAGO, February 5, 2001 -- R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (NYSE: DNY) today announced it will close its St. Petersburg, Florida, telephone directory printing facility on February 16. "After careful review, we determined the facility, which is the smallest in our operation, lacks the scale necessary to support the current and future needs of our customers," said Ronald E. Daly, president, Telecommunications. "By consolidating our efforts and transferring St. Petersburg's workload to other facilities, R.R. Donnelley can further maximize operating efficiencies and more effectively meet our customers' needs." The St. Petersburg facility, which was acquired from GTE in 1998, employs 120 people. Daly said that after carefully and thoroughly reviewing the business under a variety of marketplace scenarios, the company determined that the best decision was to close the facility. "I want to emphasize that this decision is in no way a reflection on the hard work or dedication of our St. Petersburg employees. We will make every effort to assist affected employees during this difficult time as they plan for the future," said Daly. In addition to separation packages, R.R. Donnelley will offer job search assistance to affected employees. Products currently produced at the St. Petersburg facility will be transferred to other R.R. Donnelley plants. Some of the equipment will be moved to other R.R. Donnelley plants. The company plans to seek a buyer for the building.

In 2009, the former R. R. Donnelly Building at 111 18th Street South, St Petersburg, was renovated for $3.3 million into storage facilities. Now known as Lockup St. Petersburg, the 99,000 SF building offers storage opportunities for Downtown St. Petersburg and the surrounding residential market.

Western Reprographics Association (WRA) dissolves

As one of the officers of the IRgA said this morning in an e-mail to me, this development was “not unexpected.”

This leaves the ERA (www.eastrepro.com) as the only “regional” reprographics association still in operation.

Here are the two letters I received, this morning, about the dissolution of the WRA:

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March 30, 2012

Good Afternoon,

Attached is a letter from WRA President, Mike Attebery in regard to the Board of Directors decision to dissolve the Western Reprographics Association.

We will be reimbursing any member company that has already paid their 2012 dues.

Please feel free to email or call with any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Monica

Monica Vargas

Western Reprographics Association

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March 30, 2012

To all WRA Members,

After considerable thought and discussion the Board of the Western Reprographics Association has voted unanimously to dissolve the WRA.

This decision was made considering two primary factors. First is the lack of participation by the membership, which creates the second dilemma, we are experiencing a lack of funding. Having a diminishing cash flow and tapping into saving reserves the outcome is inevitable.

Effective today, March 31^st the WRA will disband; 2012 dues paid by members in good standing will be refunded, any fees and taxes will be paid due and the balance of any cash will be donated to the PIASC/RAISE Foundation. The PIASC/RAISE Foundation is an educational foundation of the Printing Industries Association Inc., of Southern California.

This decision was made with considerable thought and discussion, not without a certain amount of anguish, while having a unanimous consent by the board. If you have any questions or concern please direct them at me as I am the outgoing President. You can reach me via email at mike@adsrepro.com or by telephone at (925) 449-3486.

Thank you all for your past support and the Board wishes you all success.

With great respect,

Mike Attebery

President WRA

ADS Reprographics Inc.