www.printflexgraphics.com
By Erin Judge

After nearly 30 years of running PrintFlex Graphics, CEO and majority owner Liz Pecha-Poelker remains dedicated to discovering growth opportunities and pursuing innovative paths to success. Her company is adopting digital technology for the first time to attract new business prospects while continuing to leverage its expertise in flexographic production for on-pack and in-pack promotions. Pecha-Poelker is also a firm believer that enduring success is rooted in building strong communities – both within her own organization and within the label and print industries at large.

Equipped with one press and three employees – Pecha-Poelker, her father, and current president Steve Baum – PrintFlex Graphics opened its doors in 1995 in St. Louis, MO. From its start, the company has sidestepped “traditional” label and sticker production for the most part – specializing in more complex applications like peel and reseal coupons and folded promotional booklets, which are applied on or inserted inside of a package.

As PrintFlex Graphics steadily expanded, it earned several accolades from the Small Business Association, including “Team of the Year” for the Eastern Region of Missouri in 2011. This was followed by four consecutive years of recognition as one of the “Fastest Growing Companies” in the region. Throughout the company’s growth journey, Pecha-Poelker has fostered an environment of open communication and mutual respect amongst its current team of 35 employees.

“Our close-knit community means we have a lot of 20-year veterans,” she says. “When people are committed to staying with you through all of the ups and downs, it definitely helps with business continuity and contributes to long-term success.” To support this, Pecha-Poelker ensures all employees have access to a full range of benefits, and bonuses are awarded each year, even during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic.

PrintFlex expanded in 2012, purchasing the building next door, which now houses its machine shop, training room, and sales offices. According to Pecha-Poelker, “This investment demonstrated our commitment to growing the company and instilled a lot of confidence in our employees that we were on the right track.”

Focused on highly specialized promotional work for the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, including pet food, personal care, beauty, food and other grocery store staples, the company is equipped with several state-of-the-art flexographic presses. This includes a 14-unit Gallus EM 280 that PrintFlex purchased six years ago. Pecha-Poelker says more often than not, all 14 units are utilized during the production of promotional jobs for processes such as the application of different varnishes and creation of peel and reseal labels.

While the company, which also offers machine rentals for label application and labeling services, has partnered with a variety of strategic suppliers throughout the years, she says, “The success of the EM 280 was a pivotal moment for us. It created a strong level of confidence in Heidelberg-Gallus technology and engineering, and influenced our decision to continue a partnership moving forward.”

This past summer, PrintFlex installed another new Gallus press, a multi-web, 10-color Labelmaster, equipped with three diecutting stations and an AeroLED UV curing system from GEW. The new Labelmaster runs alongside its existing EM 280 and took over production for one of the company’s older flexo presses to provide better efficiency, quality, and registration.

While promotional work remains the crux of PrintFlex’s business, after years of steady growth, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted certain weaknesses for the company. Consumers, faced with product shortages, purchased whatever they could find in stores, and companies did not need to produce specialty promotional materials to sell their products.

Pecha-Poelker recalls, “We suddenly realized we needed to identify new markets that we could grow into.”

In 2023, PrintFlex installed its first digital label press, the Gallus One, in an effort to help diversify its customer portfolio. While the new press enhances efficiency in handling short-run label jobs for current clients, it is also expected to attract more local, smaller businesses that previously have been challenging to serve effectively.

The Gallus One has already broadened PrintFlex’s product range, including its capability to print base wraps, which offer additional in-store promotional opportunities for customers.

Pecha-Poelker adds, “Since this is our first digital press, we’re having some fun finding the sweet spot for this machine and continue to find ways to enhance our product offerings with it.”

Outside of PrintFlex’s four walls, a key factor in the company’s ongoing success is its active involvement with TLMI and other local manufacturing peer groups. Pecha-Poelker, who previously served on the Board for TLMI, advocates, “The biggest mistake business owners make is thinking they already know everything. Learning from people with different approaches is essential for growth and stability. That’s why I strongly believe in connecting with other businesses, understanding their methods, and learning how they can help you improve.”

She adds that industry associations help keep businesses abreast of new trends and technology while offering essential networking opportunities with suppliers, especially for smaller companies. Staying connected with industry peers is also vital for securing emergency support in case of natural disasters or other disruptions that could impact production.

Pecha-Poelker concludes, “By being involved and serving on committees with TLMI or other associations, you’re giving back to your industry. It not only helps individual businesses but promotes industry-wide growth and advancement and ensures its longevity.”

For Pecha-Poelker, building communities also means fostering solid relationships with strategic suppliers. Alongside Gallus, she regards Prati, Wilson Manufacturing, and Wikoff as outstanding partners that have supported the company over the years.

PrintFlex aims to build on its success by maintaining its commitment to regularly investing in new equipment and further enhancing its marketing efforts, which have seen significant improvements in recent years. With goals to increase sales and employee count in the near term, PrintFlex Graphics will continue to be anything but “an ordinary print shop.”