A View From the Top

The top five suppliers won’t look down as they savor their success

1. Still the One

Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis has definitely found its lucky number. Another year brings another victory for the company that refuses to relinquish its number one-position on Print Professional's big list.

But perhaps even more rewarding for Ennis is the fact that 2009 marks its 100th year of business. Established in 1909, the company continues to uphold the core values—honesty, integrity and business savvy—first instilled by original owner Garner Dunkerley, Sr.

Such values become particularly important in an unstable financial climate. Reports of buyouts and businesses permanently shutting down have dominated the headlines this year—a wakeup call for Ennis staff members to be the best, because performing "slightly better" than the competition simply isn't enough.

Keith Walters, chairman, president and CEO of Ennis, has observed an effect on his customers as a result of the current business cycle, and noted that this is where integrity factors into the equation.

"In many cases, because of an 
engaged distributor and our customer finance team, our business relationships are growing stronger and both Ennis and our customer base will be stronger when the business environment improves," he said.

Enter business savvy and honesty. Walters cites Ennis' ability to manage costs as a key component of the company's success. "Many companies are now trying to lower their costs because of the slow economy, but this is something we evaluate every day—regardless of the economic environment. As a public company, we have to report and stand behind these numbers to our shareholders and board."

So, how will Ennis ensure it remains number one in 2010? By adapting to changing market conditions and selling through multiple strategies. For instance, Ennis plans to increase its presence in the apparel sector, while protecting its strong reputation in the print industry.

In addition, the company will further delve into e-commerce. "As the marketplace continues to change, Ennis has refocused its efforts on e-commerce, interoperability with the industry's leading software companies, program sales and a program to help distributors attack business traditionally held by the majors. This next year can be summed up in one word for Ennis: connectivity," Walters mentioned.

While nobody knows what the future holds, one thing is certain: never take anything for granted—even if your company has achieved the 100-year milestone.