Cedarville University Wins Top IPMA Award

Cedarville University’s Postal & Print Services has earned the prestigious Management Award from the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA). This award is presented annually to one outstanding in-plant that excels in efficient management practices to further the objectives of its parent organization.

The 10-employee operation underwent sweeping changes in 2009, beginning with the merger of the campus post office and print operation under one manager.

“This was the beginning of a journey that has taken a great deal of teamwork,” explains Tammy Slone, manager.

To reduce bottlenecks in the post office, the in-plant tapped Cedarville’s Math and Computer Science departments and students to create a homegrown computerized package tracking system. This eliminated the manual logging in of incoming packages. The Package Tracker has allowed them to lower the staff and student hours while providing a higher level of service.

The print side of the operation also experienced changes.

“We moved the operation across campus to an area that adjoins the Post Office in the Student Center,” says Slone. “We are now situated between our two largest customers.”

The addition of a Canon imagePRESS 6000 and imagePRESS 1125 has allowed the shop to capture work that had previously been outsourced.

“With the addition of Direct Smile and Print Shop Mail software, we quadrupled our color output in one year,” explains Slone, “and are producing pieces that are personalized and direct targeted.”

Ongoing training is viewed as essential to the in-plant’s success. Employees are encouraged to attend Postal Customer Council meetings and participate in educational Webinars. In 2009 five members of the team received Mail Shipping Services Professional Certification, one individual received multiple certifications through NACUMS and Slone herself received certification as an Executive Mail Center Manager from the United States Postal Service.

“Honestly, I could not have accomplished any of this without the great staff, who has supported me and their teammates throughout all of the changes,” lauds Slone.