Rocky Mountain Printer
In high school Joe Morin worked at his school's in-plant. For the past decade he's been its manager.
By Kristen E. Monte
Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Joseph Morin entered the world of print as an impressionable high school sophomore by taking a course called Printing Technology I.
"That year the field just grew on me," says Morin—so much that now, 28 years later, he is manager of Production Printing for the same school district, Colorado Springs District 11.
"The diversity of the field, computerization, creativity and the ability to apply real-life disciplines such as math, science and language really appealed to me," he explains.
During his junior year in high school, Morin enrolled in the Printing Technology Vocational Program, and during his senior year, he began working as a press operator in Colorado Springs District 11's Production Printing Department. After graduation Morin was offered a full-time position with the shop.
Morin received more that just on-the-job training in his early years at the in-plant; he also completed an education to go along with the skills. He earned an associates of applied science degree in graphic arts from Pikes Peak Community College, and received his teaching credentials from Colorado State University in Trade and Industrial education. Eventually, he taught high school and evening community college courses, much like the ones in which he began.
But it was after Morin completed his B.S. and MBA in business from Regis University that he was promoted to in-plant manager, in 1994.
When he first began, the in-plant had a staff of six and occupied half of a 4,000-square-foot building.
"The equipment list consisted of a couple of Multigraphics 2650, 1250, and 1850 presses, an electrostatic plate maker, a small darkroom, a collator, a 30˝ hydraulic cutter and front desk/prepress combination," says Morin. "The operating budget was less than $200,000 compared with today's $2.5 million."
The department now operates out of an 8,400-square-foot facility and boasts a staff of 18 full-time employees and five part-time positions.
Numerous Upgrades
In his 10-year stint as manager, Morin has presided over many changes, including:
• Migrating to a computerized business management billing and job tracking system.
• Installing 13 networked high-speed copier/printers throughout the department's six locations.
• Installing a digital prepress and computer-to-plate system along with a new four-color offset press.
"I am most proud of the hard work of my entire team of 18," says Morin. "Their cohesive ability to meet or exceed our customers' expectations...while embracing the implementation and exciting challenges new technology offers is unsurpassed."
Morin keeps his team motivated by creating an incentive program: he sets a target budget for improvement and if it is met or exceeded at the end of the budget year, employees can get 2 percent of their salaries as a bonus.
"Everyone here loves what they do, and it's a nice reward to look forward to," he says.
"I think my greatest challenge as an in-plant manager is to assure we maintain a clear focus on continuous improvement," continues Morin. "Constantly surveying customer satisfaction, allowing customer requirements to drive new products and services, and staying abreast of new and upcoming technologies will assure this department's financial independence, allowing for future investments. We must always be able to answer the question: 'How do you know you are doing a good job?' "
To prevent equipment obsolescence and establish a vision for the in-plant, Morin uses a fivea-year capital projection plan, which he updates annually. The plan identifies equipment and infrastructure needs.
"My vision for the future of the department is to continue to grow in the digital arena, with emphasis on improving workflow and overall throughput," says Morin.
This, in turn, will put saved dollars back into the classroom.
"There is nothing more gratifying to me than to take a group of students on a tour of the department and watch their eyes light up when they witness what a 52˝ hydraulic cutter can do to paper," declares Morin.
In his free time, Morin enjoys Colorado's outdoor activities with his wife and two small children. They spend their time snow and water skiing, cycling, camping and riding various types of RVs.
"Colorado Springs is a great place to live," contends Morin. "It has a great climate, plenty of activities and it is not a large population."
