For 20 years Juan and Hector Espino worked in a room that is today jokingly referred to as "The Bread Box," a 670 square ft. windowless cream-colored space once shared by three full-time print specialists, who elbow to elbow ran three digital presses. 

 

"The biggest lesson that I've learned this year is the value of investing in your people."

 

But powerful winds of change began blowing just 15 months ago when Staci Hill inherited responsibility for the tiny, but very dedicated shop.  It wasn't long before the Administrative Manager for Freese and Nichols, a 118-year old, 525-person Texas-based engineering consulting firm with a stellar reputation for quality, relocated the Print Shop to a larger floor, nearly tripling their space.  In addition, five Mail, Archive, File and Library Specialists were cross trained to provide support when needed. To see what growth opportunities there were for in-plants, Hill joined IPMA and attended IPMA's 2012 Conference.  "The biggest lesson that I've learned this year is the value of investing in your people.  Had the Print Shop team not joined, we may very well still be in the state of status quo," she emphasizes. "This has been a great year for Freese and Nichols and our growing Print Shop!"

 

A second generation member of the company's founding family, Jim Nichols, who started in the print shop in 1950, recalls how initially the entire printing operation was comprised solely of a mimeograph machine that was housed in an area not much bigger than a closet. Today it churns out a wide range of print products including maps, technical reports, specifications, and job proposals. Based on the growth of the past 15 months, they have converted one black/white digital Ricoh Digital Press to a color Ricoh C901 and are in the process of adding a second machine.  By adding a Duplo Slitter and Cutter, they have been able to bring business cards, postcards, and envelopes back in- house. With the arrival of a UV Coating machine, they have  raised their game even higher to producing programs, brochures, brochure tents and even fans. "The UV Coater has been our biggest business enhancer!" Even the use of QR codes and PURLS are being implemented through the direction of their Marketing Team.

 

"We feel very integrated into the fabric

of our organization."

Marketing, which has always outsourced large jobs, is now committed to keeping the funds in house!  "We just continue to find ways to say yes to our internal and external clients!" They now attend 14 different group manager meetings on a monthly basis, showcasing new processes, as well as their newfound enthusiasm. They have also been asked to travel the state of Texas to work with various marketing coordinators to ensure that the shop's output is consistent from office to office.  "We feel very integrated into the fabric of our organization and we are showing daily how to shift from a cost center to a profit center," explains Hill.

So many fresh, new ideas were brought back from IPMA's conference "Although Juan has been with the company for nearly 25 years, he had never been given the opportunity to attend educational training which opened his eyes to the possibilities of print. He came home renewed, sharing his newfound passion with his brother Hector.  The two now arrive at work everyday energized. It is truly inspirational and our company's over 500 employees all see it!"

 

She also credits the in-plant connections they made at conference with helping to keep the momentum moving forward, especially with Jimmy Friend at University of North Texas.  "He and his team have embraced mentoring us and helping us take leaps of faith."

 

"countless tricks and tips ... can be learned by sharing ideas"

 

Hill wholeheartedly urges other in-plant managers to partner and leverage IPMA and peers in your city. "There are countless tricks and tips that can be learned by sharing ideas and seeing the successes and failures of others.  Ask the tough questions."