May 1, 2012

We recently announced that Salem Printing is celebrating our 25th Anniversary.  While we tend to look forward in everything we do, we want to acknowledge all those clients, partners and employees that have helped us get this far.  We can think of no one better to reminisce about Salem Printing than our Sales Manager, Jerry Edwards.  He has been with Salem from day 1, and being involved in the development of our company has certainly given him a different perspective on how much Salem has truly changed, and yet remains the same.

“We began operating as Salem Printing in 1987, as a small local printing company, servicing customers in Winston-Salem, producing letterheads, envelopes, booklets and other types of one and two color projects.  At the time, it seemed as though there were competing printers on every street corner and all of us were going after the same business.  There were also many large printing companies in the Triad securing the majority of the larger projects being produced.  Many of my friends suggested I should go to work with those guys feeling I would have a better opportunity… but we had plans at Salem; plans to build something special.  We wanted to create an environment that would attract the best employees, those that wanted be a part of building something special and not just going to work every day for a paycheck.

We had a marketing plan to approach some of the larger companies in the area and offer them an opportunity to have a printing company of their very own.  One that would produce what they wanted, when they wanted, at a fair price and with the best quality.  We would become their partners.  We were very fortunate that Flow Motors (the company who gave us our first opportunity – thank you Terry H.!), Hanes, Integon, Wake Forest University, AT&T and Proctor Silex decided to give us a chance.  When it all began, our annual sales were equivalent to two days of our current production – Unbelievable!!  We hit 1MM in sales for the first time in 1994 and would continue to grow and grow adding new clients, sales representatives, production employees and administrative staff, never going backward, always moving forward, always looking for growth, looking for more opportunities.

Our philosophy has always been to try and give our clients everything they need, every time; not just some of the time.  A lot of things have changed throughout the years, but one thing hasn’t; the very real commitment to continue to try and get better.  We have all had a willingness to change (and that is hard for most people), not to become some large battleship, but more of a really, really nice speed boat with the ability to change directions at a moments notice.  This would enable us to do most anything our client needs, as if they have their own print shop, ready to do whatever it takes.  It looks like our original marketing plan worked!   

It’s strange looking back… many of those “bigger, more successful” printing companies became battleships and aren’t around anymore. Looks like we made the right decision.”

Simply the Best is not just a company slogan, it’s what we try to be – Everyday.

“The future for Salem is exciting. While the economy continues to struggle, we continue to grow, adding new clients to our family. Customers that were content to stay with their existing printer just because it was comfortable have been forced to look at other options. We have been fortunate to add a few of those, and our phone continues to ring.” 

Thank you Jerry Edwards for your 25 years of commitment to Salem Printing and to helping establish the Salem way.  Simply The Best!

© 2012 Salem Printing