Continuous Change, Continuous Challenge

UV printer LogoTech doesn’t stand pat. With a vision and road map for the future, this label printer has big plans.

For example, according to Sparrow, LogoTech has contracted with Safety Kleen (www.safety-kleen.com) to dispose of all the company's rags and buckets properly. But switching to soy-based inks isn't necessarily the solution to the problem because it's a question of quality. "They are not up to the quality that we need," contends Gurland.

Changes and challenges

LogoTech's operating philosophy is, "Continuous Change, Continuous Challenge." It is a company that thrives on educating itself and pushing its people and equipment, often nudging both past the edge of what was considered possible. This operating philosophy directly benefits the printer's customers.

"What makes LogoTech distinctive is our ability to know our customers' products better than they do," claims Gurland. "We think and act as if we work for the customer, which means our care, commitment, and attention to details are phenomenal." LogoTech's customers, adds Gurland, are so overwhelmed by the demands which their customers place on them, that "we need to support them, and make sure things do not slip through the cracks." Plus, in a moment of pride, Gurland says, "The quality of our printing is outstanding."

Staying ahead

Maintaining a lead in any business is a difficult task. But LogoTech has it figured out. According to Gurland, it's nothing more than having a strategic plan and the employees to implement it.

"As far as looking forward to the future, for a company our size, our goal is to grow," says Gurland. "We can be a lot bigger than we are and the only way to be bigger is to have a vision. So the way we stay ahead is we're always looking five to 10 years out." As an example, Gurland says the company's five-year plan is to be triple its size and to grow in both the flexo and digital worlds.

And how about those employees? Gurland says LogoTech is like a top-rate sports team. "We put the right people in the right positions, and work as a team toward the end goal. We continue to train. We stay focused, yet are flexible to changing conditions," she asserts.

And, her employees are loyal. She claims the reason for this can be explained in one word: trust. She offers the following timely example.

The beginning of 2009 was difficult and, like most companies, LogoTech had to cut costs all around. In April, the company asked employees to double their contributions to health insurance, with the promise that, when things got better, the printer would give the money back. "On November 1, the employees' contributions went back to the original amount," Gurland says proudly. "We kept our word."

Digital evolution

One area the printer is investigating is digital printing. It already employs an HP Indigo press and a Digicon finishing unit specifically for the HP machine. Digital has proven to be a value add for LogoTech's offerings. Already, some business has been going more digital. "When you look at the wineries and the smaller jobs, some of it is," says Gurland. "But, as the digital presses increase with speed and improve, things will change. But what we see is that by offering both, you're able to service your customers. You're not pigeonholing yourself in one area."

Will digital overtake UV? "Not sure," says Gurland, "but, we're watching it. Technology is changing so much in our generation that who knows." She adds that both processes have advantages. "We like both for different reasons," she concludes. "It will be interesting to watch the growth of both of them during the next five years. n

LogoTech employs three Gallus letterpress units and an Arsoma flexographic machine for its UV pressure-sensitive label print jobs. pP

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