Quick Printing

JUL 2014

Quick Printing is the only business resource serving the quick and small commercial printing niche in North America. Quick Printing is the authoritative source for business information, emerging technologies, shop profiles and management insight.

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QP: Tell us a little about your company, the segment of the market it serves, and what you consider to be your "core" users. DR: VITS International, Inc. is a manufacturer of custom- designed finishing solutions for the printing and packaging indus- try. We proudly manufacture all equipment in the United States. All parts, service, and support is coordinated from our corporate headquarters located in Blauvelt, NY. VITS has a long history of specialty inline and offline finishing systems customized to meet the needs of each individual customer. We have several hundred installations worldwide in commercial web-offset, direct mail, packaging, paperboard, and digital print markets. Printers who are looking for more robust, faster, custom engineered finishing solu- tions are our target users. QP: How did you get involved with the company? What is your background before that? DR: In 2002 I joined VITS with a background in finance, systems, M&A; [mergers and acquisitions], and manufacturing management. In the early years I'd go for a couple of after-work beers with John Friedl, our plant manager, who would tell me stories of the company's history. He had a love of the company, but a dislike for previous man- agement and ownership styles. It was apparent that the company known as VITS America at that time was a "diamond in the rough." John's stories got me involved in seeing through his vision of what we could become. So, even in the early years, VITS was more than just a paycheck. I treated "her" as if she were my own, and the employees, customers, and ven- dors, were all part of the VITS family. Ten years later VITS became known as VITS International, and I acquired her from the previous owner Werner Deuring, to whom I am grateful for positioning me as managing director in 2002 and owner in 2012. QP: What do you consider your greatest achievement in this market to be? DR: First, I think our ability to transition from a company that was, at one time, 100 percent dependent on sales in the traditional commercial web-offset market to one that now offers solutions in a variety of market segments direct to customers and OEMs alike has been a great accomplishment. Secondly, we have gained acceptance from some of the most prominent digital press suppli- ers in a very short period of time, which validates the solutions we have to offer. These are probably the two greatest achievements of not only myself but of my entire team. QP: If there was anything you could change, either about your career in regards to the print industry, your company, or the market as a whole, what would it be and why? DR: I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, so I wouldn't look to change the past. I would like to see our industry and people in general bring back basic values and ethics. Respect for oneself and others, responsibility, honesty, and integrity. If a company is a good one, it should be able to create a product or service at a fair price rather than destroying the market by creating price wars or stealing ideas. Be original. Be unique. Even if it is in a small way. There is nothing brilliant in copying what others do or trying to get something for nothing. Sign a contract and stand by it. QP: What do you consider the greatest challenge to be for the industry right now? Why? DR: In a word: uncertainty. The economy is still not growing at a rate that instills confidence; the regulatory landscape with regard to healthcare is far from settled; suppliers are faced with the chal- lenge of staying relevant during lean times; and printers are always looking to see how they can deliver more value to their custom- ers before the competition does. These are challenges that every business owner is facing, and it is very difficult to make long-term plans when such uncertainty exists. QP: What do you consider the greatest asset to be for the industry right now? Why? DR: I think that the continually changing landscape of the printing industry is driving faster and greater innovation than ever CEO of VITS International discusses the print finishing manufacturer's expansion beyond web- offset and transition to digital. By Mark Vruno 22 Q U I C K P R I N T I N G / J u l y 2 0 1 4 w w w. M y P R I N T R e s o u r c e . c o m 6/16/14 4:04 PM

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