U.S. Press Grows with a Can-Do Attitude
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
Founded 30 years ago in Valdosta, U.S. Press, LLC is a $5 million company providing color printing and related services that is growing at a nice clip despite the slow economy. Founder and owner Kent Buescher chalks it up to a can-do attitude.
"I read a story recently that when Apple wanted to change from plastic to glass on the iPhone, their manufacturer in China engineered a solution and had it in production in a matter of hours," Buescher said.
"We want to meet challenges like that. I say if the customer doesn't have a challenge, then we don't have a job."
U.S. Press works with large corporations and small- to medium-size businesses to design and produce four-color marketing materials including point-of-purchase displays, direct-mail campaigns, window and floor decals and a variety of other items. The company also assembles marketing-campaign items into kits and handles distribution to either the customer's distribution point or to the individual retail participants.
"Kitting is a strategic advantage for us. We can handle a whole campaign from providing creative design help, production, kitting and distribution – all here in Valdosta," Buescher said.
Identifying Growth Opportunities
At the end of 2008, business at U.S. Press was heavily concentrated in real estate and construction. When the housing market collapsed that business essentially disappeared.
"It was a dramatic upheaval for us. We knew we had to branch out to grow so we identified markets that we thought offered the most potential – packaged goods manufacturers, retail such as grocery and convenience stores, hospitality and tourism, health care and education," Buescher said.
The company also identified new products that could enhance the marketing campaigns for its customers. In recent years, they have added scratch-off cards and magnetic products. The goal is to create innovative solutions at low cost.
Customers typically work through the U.S. Press online portal or the sales staff, which was expanded in 2011. The company consults with some customers on the creative design and with others, it produces already designed materials.
Implementing the Full Marketing Cycle
According to Buescher, U.S. Press plays a part in helping customers complete the marketing cycle. Direct-mail campaigns help motivate consumers to go to a retail store with the idea of making a purchase.
"Once a consumer is in the store, we try to close the sale with window signage, floor decals, shelf cards and danglers, and end-cap and register displays," Buescher said.
"Whatever a customer is trying to accomplish, we rise to the occasion. We've flown completed programs to customers in record time."
U.S. Press serves more than 20,000 customers located across the country. Some have worked with the company for the entire 30 years it has been in business. The company currently has 29 employees working at its office and manufacturing facility in Valdosta. More information on U.S. Press is available at uspress.com.
