Try Insourcing

"This was our way of saying 'We can help offset our costs,' " remarks Larry Sutherland, manager of creative services.

The Allstate Print Communications Center is also focusing on insourcing, which Jerry Grouzard, print operations manager, says represents about 5 percent of the in-plant's work. An internal sales team calls on prospects, and Grouzard hopes to soon add a commercial print sales rep. Allstate's long-term goal, he adds, is to create a separate facility to do commercial work.