Service Web Offset Corporation combines next-generation equipment and solid craftsmanship to keep their customers coming back.

“Our approach with each of our customers is ongoing relationship building,” said Bobby Mitchell, President and Co-owner of Service Web Offset Corporation. With many customers relying on the full-service web printer for 20-plus years - and several for more than 25 years - Service Web Offset must be making all the right moves.

In the late 1930s, Bobby's grandfather and his partner started the company as a sheet fed printing firm. Later, the organization expanded with additional partners, including Bobby's father, Alan Mitchell, and converted to a web offset business. Over time, the remaining partners retired, and Bobby and his brother, Mark, eventually came into the business. By the 1990s, the company was owned and operated by Alan and his two sons, who were faced with a floor full of equipment desperately in need of updating.

“What we did have going for us, however, was one of the industry's most skilled and committed group of employees,” said Bobby. “Plus, our hearts are here in Chicago, so we decided we wanted to stay here and continue to serve our long-standing customers. But, we understood there was a lot to be done.”

Investing for Their Customers

The Mitchells knew that to continue providing quality service, they needed to bring their equipment up to speed. A technology investment of close to $18 million has resulted in two Heidelberg M600s on the press floor, as well as major overhauls in the company's prepress and bindery divisions.

“Like every business today, our customers need everything faster and better. To help them - and us - stay competitive, we were looking for technology that would make that necessary difference,” said Joe Fricke, the company's Vice President of Operations. Joe and his team explored a number of controls and their manufacturers before selecting the Color Control System from QuadTech. “As a small company, we can't afford to be bleeding edge,” he noted. “We have to buy proven technology. The beauty of QuadTech equipment is that it's been field tested in real working conditions.”

In addition to the Color Control System, Service Web Office added a full complement of QuadTech auxiliaries to their newest M600, including register control, cutoff control, web guides and a silicone coater. They also decided to have QuadTech retrofit their first Heidelberg M600 with the Color Control System with unique ink key position feedback.

Printing Faster and Better

“Color is just a subjective thing,” points out Joe. “One operator likes to run a little more red, one likes a little more yellow and tweaking takes time and produces waste. With the Color Control System, once we get an 'OK' from a customer on the first sheet, we know that color will be exactly the same on the last sheet.”

The Color Control System eliminates subjectivity by accurately measuring color densities. Then, it adjusts the press ink keys to maximize quality and consistency of color reproduction. And, it maintains color throughout the press run.

“When we run color eight-up on a sheet, that's one more area where the Color Control System really shines,” said Joe. “In the past, the operator would get two of the pictures color-corrected, then spend 20 minutes trying to match the other six. With this system, it's a fast, painless process and at the end of the makeready, all eight are still exactly matched.”

It all boils down to higher color consistency and faster makereadies, according to John Stumbaugh, Plant Manager. “Our specialty is getting our customers in and out fast with a great product,” he said. “Our typical day consists of six or seven makereadies on each press. By getting us to accurate color in 1,500 to 2,000 less sheets, QuadTech's Color Control System is making a positive impact on our bottom line.”

A Comfortable Transition

“Our employees are real proponents of the new technology,” said John. He gives credit to QuadTech's easy operability, as well as their sensitive approach to training. “They provided off-site training kiosks to let our operators master the equipment at their own speed.”

John especially likes the fact that QuadTech controls are virtually maintenance free. He also gives them high marks for support and follow up. “QuadTech never leaves us out in the cold,” he said. “One call and they're on the problem right away and have it solved in no time. And, they've provided us with several upgrades that have further improved our efficiency.”

Moving Forward While Staying in the Same Place

As most of Chicago's printers have taken flight to the suburbs or gone out of business, Service Web Offset is now the city's one remaining web printer. Today, the firm's Southside neighborhood has become more upscale and is a more welcoming place to go for press checks. “Being here in the city enables us to be more responsive to our customers,” said Bobby. “In fact, our customer surveys tell us they would like to rely on us even more. We've already added mailing to our list of services and we expect to get into customized distribution in the near future.”

Bobby notes that the company will continue to look to QuadTech for innovative equipment as they expand their offerings. “Our lifelong customers really appreciate the added benefits that our advanced equipment gives them,” said Bobby. “For our many new customers, it's just Service Web Offset doing business as usual, providing excellent products and services.”

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