FORT WORTH, Texas – November 22, 2002:
resident Bush and Commerce Secretary Don Evans today named Branch-Smith Printing the recipient of the 2002 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The coveted Baldrige Award is the nation's premier award for performance excellence and quality achievement. Branch-Smith Printing was recognized in the small business category; two other winners were named in the categories of manufacturing and healthcare. Formal presentation of the award will occur at a ceremony in Washington, DC in 2003, and date to be announced.
The award is the business world's most prestigious honor, named after the former Secretary of Commerce. It was established in 1987 in response to competitive threats by perceived higher levels of quality in the Japanese automotive industry, to recognize American companies that achieved the highest standards in quality. The award is presented annually although not necessarily in every category to companies with exemplary achievements in seven areas: leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resource focus, process management, and results.
Branch-Smith Printing:
Branch-Smith Printing is a fourth-generation family business, based in Fort Worth since its inception in 1910. The company provides full-service printing for corporate and publication customers and specializes in bound materials such as magazines, directories, catalogs, and books. The company employs a staff of 70, all of whom company president David Branch credits with achieving this exclusive national recognition.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” commented David Branch, “but I have to tell you, in no way did my management team or I do it alone. Every day when we come in the door, we work with a dedicated group of highly professional employees. Their commitment to understanding our customers needs, fulfilling our role in helping our customers meet their goals, and in delivering a superior product is what makes us successful. I am proud to share this award with them.”
In his congratulatory letter to Branch-Smith Printing, President Bush wrote, “The Baldrige Award honors American businesses and organizations that have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to quality and performance improvement. In earning this prestigious award, this year’s recipients reflect the values that Malcolm Baldrige embodied during his service to our Nation as the Secretary of Commerce and throughout his life, integrity, excellence, principled leadership, sound judgment, and responsibility. I commend honorees for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our society.”
Branch-Smith Printing Understands Its Role in Modern Communications:
Succeeding as a graphic arts company today is fraught with challenges. In addition to the pressure caused by the current economic slowdown, the graphic arts industry has been in the midst of a dramatic paradigm shift in the last decade, as the industry shifts from its long-standing craftsman approach to one of the most highly technical and digitized industries in the world. At the same time, society is changing the way it communicates. Branch-Smith Printing has understood its changing role, viewing itself fully as a communications company and less as “putting ink on paper.” It’s innovative management techniques and extended value to customers have enabled it to be a long-term industry profit leader.
It has, for instance, used such tools as the landmark McKinsey study on the printing industry to crystallize its market niche. The company actively pursues customers whose printing needs may be too small for a larger competitor, but fit squarely within Branch-Smith’s competencies: high-end sheetfed printing for multi-page documents.
Branch-Smith Printing is a performance leader on many fronts, including financial. Its sales growth rates have outperformed those of the industry since 1998, as reported monthly by the National Association for Printing Leadership’s Printing Business Panel. Branch-Smith Printing experienced a 72 percent growth, over four years and held that gain in 2002.
Innovative management techniques:
The Baldrige Award also recognizes Branch-Smith Printing’s management excellence in working with both its customers and its employees. The company achieves its rigorous quality standards through a systematic complaint process, routine customer satisfaction surveys, regular meetings with key customers, and a customer plan and an online “Goldmine” database that identifies and maps the needs of specific customers.
