Northern Michigan company continues to build on its strong reputation in foodservice, publishing, data management, and marketing.
Traverse City, MI—Village Press, Inc. celebrates its 45th anniversary this month. Co-owners Scott Lizenby, CFO, and Dave Moore, President, are at the company’s helm and excited to celebrate this milestone. Moore thinks back to when he first walked through the plant in 1997, “Locally, with a few exceptions, the community thinks of Village Press as a printing company. When I walked through, I saw a world-class marketing organization,” remembers Moore. “I saw a publishing organization that delivered best-in-class direct marketing, data management, and transaction management; and a national foodservice marketer, which has become world-class, too.”
Village Press was founded by Bob Goff in 1969 to provide printing and mailing services that were – at that time – sent to downstate companies. Goff saw the opportunity to provide these valuable services in the growing town of Traverse City and partnered with many well-known community businesses including Northwestern Michigan College, Interlochen Arts Academy, Chef Pierre Pie Company, and Milliken’s Department Store. Village Press also brought the first digital press to the area, a game changer for quick, customizable print jobs. Sitting in the main printing room is the 8-color KBA, one of two in the entire United States, which is able to handle larger jobs and magazine production.
The company evolved and grew its list of services to meet client needs as well as gain a competitive advantage. In addition to designing, editing, and printing sales materials, custom publications, and books, VP has a full-fledge IT department that creates and maintains systems, a customer service call center, and business development services. Nearly 100 people are employed at Village Press, and the company continues to grow to continue to meet its reputation that has become synonymous with innovation, expertise, and partnership over the years.
A new change on the horizon is rebranding. Moore discloses that Village Press will become known as VP Demand Creation Services. “VP Demand Creation Services fully describes the coordinated knowledge and activities required in our marketing execution services,” explains Moore. “Print is still vital to our clients, but it is something we do and a service we provide, but not who we are. Our clients recognize this, and rely on a greater level of depth and breadth in our expertise and service.”
About Village Press
Village Press, Inc. is a fulfillment specialist, data manager, direct marketer, viral marketer, consumer and enthusiast magazine publisher, book publisher, and printing company. For more information, visit www.villagepress.com.
