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Few industries have been more affected by the digital age than the reprographic industry. Over the years, computers, digital printers, and new digital technologies have completely transformed work processes, requiring new expensive equipment and more specialized employee training. Reprographic shop owners are continually faced with a choice, either you make the proper investments, embrace these changes and diversify your services or your business will falter.
For 35 years, Triangle Reprographics has been on the cutting edge of technology and change and has been selected by Wide Format Imaging's as the "Reprographic Shop of the Year" for 2007.
The company's secret for longevity and success comes from the right mix of investing in technology and people, providing a host diversified output services and as well as offering excellent customer service.
Founded in 1972 by Roger and Joanne Garner, Orlando, FL-based Triangle Reprographics is a full service reprographics shop employing 115 people. Many of their employees have worked 20-plus years with the company. Today, Triangle works three shifts, 24 hours a day to meet important deadlines for their long list of clients. They are well-known as a leader in the reprographic industry and are active in the IRgA and the Southeastern Reprographic Association.
"Our success is attributed with three primary practices: keeping up with the equipment and technology, hiring the best people we can find, and most importantly, taking care of all of our customer's needs," says Reg Garner, vice president of sales. "From the very beginning, the focus was paying attention to the details and understanding the customer's requirements," he adds. Founder Roger Garner always stressed, "The job must be right…and on time!"
The company was started by Reg's dad Roger and step mom Joanne Garner in 1972. "The original business was called Triangle Blueprint Service and about 80 percent of our sales came from selling drafting supplies. In 1975, co-owner Ken Thomas joined the company and what started out as a small shop with four to five people grew from there" says Reg. Both Roger and Ken had previously worked together at B.K. Elliot Company which, was later purchased by Océ. In addition to Roger, Joanne, and Ken, the ownership today also includes Reg Garner, Joanne Mason, and Steve Oakes.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Reg says that over the years they always tried to stay ahead of the curve. "From the start we've continually ridden on the crest of emerging technologies," says Reg. In the 1970s they added a black-and-white photo lab to support overlay drafting. The 1980s marked the beginning of the digital age with CAD plotting equipment and "high-speed" modems for customers to send work electronically. In 1986 Triangle was one of the first shops in the state of Florida to install a Canon CLC 100 color laser copier. Then in 1991, they were among the first service bureaus offering wide-format color as the beta test site for Cactus Software. In 1996 Triangle was one of the first in the world to have a LightJet photographic imager.
Triangle's equipment current arsenal includes: two LightJet imagers, four Océ 9800/TDS800 machines, a KIP 5000, HP plotters, six Canon color copiers, a 16-foot Vutek solvent printer, various black-and-white high speed copiers, and numerous mounting and laminating units.
"About 50 percent of our business today is done for the AEC industry. The rest is a mix of trade show, museum, fleet graphics, murals, point-of purchase displays, and other applications," he reports. In January 2007, Wide-Format Imaging featured a story about a large museum exhibit produced by Triangle for the Southeast Museum of Photography which included 150 mounted LightJet prints of world famous dance photographer, Lois Greenfield.
Keys to Success
When you walk into Triangle's spacious lobby vistors can't miss the three-dimensional acrylic sign that simply states:
- Our Vision: To provide the highest quality service in reprographic and imaging technologies today and tomorrow.
- Our Purpose: To earn the trust of our employees, customers and community through our dedication to fairness, honesty and respect for one another.
Whenever there is a question they just go back to this sign…and it is clear.
When asked about why they have been so successful, Reg points to their people. "The people are the key to our longevity and success. They are the ones that talk to our customers everyday and keep them coming back," he says.
"Our goal is to continue to grow the company and make it a pleasant place to work. Each person that works here is a member of the Triangle Family. "Joanne Garner makes sure that the executive staff knows the name of each person that works at Triangle Reprographics," says Reg. "At the annual picnic, everyone brings their family and we've watched many of their children grow up over the years. In addition to the annual picnic and Christmas Party, Triangle also has a quarterly bonus program that rewards employees when the profits are good. Our employees are a key for our future success."
New Facility
In 2005, Triangle moved into a new 33,000 square foot facility, in downtown Orlando. The new shop was designed totally around the workflow and production needs of a modern reprographic company. They are already planning to expand into an additional 10,000 square feet in the 3rd quarter of this year.
Reg says the move has really helped their business grow. "When we were told we needed to relocate our operation from our home of more than25-years to make way for a new highway intersection, we chose the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant located at 850 S. Hughey Avenue in the downtown Orlando district. We contracted long term customers SchenkelShultz Architecture and McCree Construction to renovate the 33,000 sqft space. The new facility is only one block away from our old location, where we had been since 1980," he comments.
The construction project transformed the old soda plant into a modern printing facility, while maintaining some of the building's original elements. The space now includes offices, a spacious lobby, and an "open concept" production floor. Exterior construction features alucobond panels on the front facade and a prominent 24-foot tower that is visible from Interstate 4.
"The move went remarkably well," says vice president Steve Oakes. On Friday, March 11, 2005 Triangle closed its doors at 5:00 in the afternoon and a team of employees, 20 movers, several rigging companies, along with technicians from Océ, Ikon, Vutek and others, spent the night de-installing, moving, and then re-installing all of the equipment.
"Due to great planning on the part of everyone involved, our Internet connection and network infrastructure were only down for 1.5 hours and by Saturday night, all equipment was in place and operational," Steve remembers.
But what do Triangle Reprographics' clients have to say about them?
"I've had a good working relationship with Triangle for many years. They have done a lot museum graphic and display work for us. I know that Triangle has the capability to do many of the things we want to do," says Kevin Miller, museum director at the Southeast Museum of Photography, Daytona, FL.
"The Triangle team is so efficient, they crank out my last minute jobs, even when I need it the same day. The bottom line is Triangle makes me and my company look sharp," comments Shawna Braunstein, marketing & graphics specialist at Veranda Park, Orlando, FL.
Triangle even remembers their customers on Valentine's Day with flowers. "We've done this for about 20 years and our customers always look forward to it," says Garner. This year they delivered a record 1,400 African Violets to its best customers. "We purchase them wholesale from a local grower and use our 12 delivery drivers along with the sales staff to get them all delivered in time. It's a small token of our thanks and our customers really appreciate it."
Triangle Reprographics contributes and participates in numerous community projects and charities such as the House of Hope, Ronald McDonald House, Princeton House (for children with autism), to name a few. Today, Triangle is respected both in their community and in the reprographic industry, and is Wide-Format Imaging's 2007 Reprographic Shop of the Year.
author: BY BILL SCHIFFNER