FTA Member Model Graphics Shares Insight on Its Success

To be a true print partner to a CPC, two things are necessary: You need to be a printer, and you need to partner. As obvious as that may seem, the coordination aspect can get overlooked. “Finding the right label company comes down to partnership,” said Andrew Estrada, cofounder of The Humani-TEA Co., who needed more than just a printer to help bring its concept to life. “We have found that partner with Matt Fleissner and the Model Graphics team.”

Judges at the Flint Group 12th Annual Narrow Web Print Awards agreed, naming the print a winner. Here, CEO and Founder Steve Fleissner talks about what went into the award winner, Model Graphics’ background and how it became the model printer it is today.

Model Graphics’ Company Background

FLEXO: Talk about how Model Graphics got started.

Steve Fleissner: Model Graphics was born out of the role I played at National Label Co./Div. of Presstix of Cincinnati, where I began working at the age of 19. After 10 years, I left National and went to work for another small company in Florida. After a short time, the owner sold the company and I moved to Louisville, KY, where I worked for two years with a label company as their plant manager.

My father, Ed Fleissner, worked as a general manager for a commercial laundry (Model Laundry) in Cincinnati for more than 30 years. The owner of that company, Stanley Birer, spoke to my father about the possibilities of utilizing about 10,000 sq. ft. of space that had not been occupied for years. My father had mentioned to him that I had been talking about starting my own business. After a couple of years of discussion about a label company being formed, in the summer of 1984, Model Label was born.

FLEXO: Where did the name “Model” come from?

Fleissner: Since we did not have a customer to start the business, I was able to share an office staff of one with Model Laundry. That is how the name Model was decided. Our phone system was linked and shared; when calls came in, they could not be identified, so the receptionist simply answered the phone, “Good morning, Model,” and then waited for the person to ask for Steve or Ed to determine where the call should go. My father passed away in 1990. That was a very tough year emotionally. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him—even though we were running separate businesses, it was great just being around him for those few years. The commercial laundry closed a couple years later. We then moved out of that two story facility into a single story, 20,000 sq. ft. building.

FLEXO: Where is Model Graphics located today?

Fleissner: In 2000, we designed and built a modern, tilt up concrete, 37,000 sq. ft. building in West Chester, OH—our current location. The desire was always to print the best quality label for every customer. We pride ourselves on being best in class when it comes to credits issued year after year. This is the result of having documented processes, education, training and auditing systems that enable the right job to be done by the right people every time.

FLEXO: How big is the company now? Number of employees, presses, shifts?

Fleissner: We have 34 employees, four presses and two shifts.

FLEXO: Where are Model Graphics’ primary markets? What are its primary markets?

Fleissner: Model Graphics serves a national customer base, although the majority of clients—80 percent—are within a couple hundred miles of West Chester. We have a diverse group of end markets which include:

• Health and beauty
• Bath and laundry
• Food and beverage
• Pet food
• Soaps
• Chemicals
• Industrial manufacturing

Model Graphics’ Print Processes

FLEXO: Talk about any recent equipment purchases, upgrades or developments Model Graphics has made lately.

Fleissner: Accraply seaming equipment for sleeves would be the most important. We looked into shrink in 2006 and felt there was not enough interest on behalf of our customers and prospects at that time. We usually don’t jump in on anything without doing our due diligence. The days of, “If you will buy one, they will come,” are over. You must have a baseline interest and commitment from customers.

With all the changes to new equipment for quick changeovers, we struggle with older, shaft drive, non servo presses. We met with an engineer who brought us an idea for one of our older—yet still productive— presses. His design was to put automatic plate roll adjustments on all eight stations of our old Nilpeter FB press. I was not sure this would work, but we made the deal after assuring the press operator if it didn’t work we would pull it back out. It has been a great help.

FLEXO: What percent of the company’s product is printed flexographically?

Fleissner: Ninety percent is flexo, and 10 percent is digital.

FLEXO: You make specific mention of digital print on your website— how has it affected Model Graphics’ ability to meet client needs?

Fleissner: Digital supplements our flexo capabilities, specifically with short to intermediate runs without the customer investment in flexo plates and the added costs of copy and ink change charges on multicopy runs. This will change more dramatically in the next couple of years as machines get faster and wider and more capabilities per press.