In-Plant Profiles

Spectronics’ in-plant takes the same engineering-oriented, problem-solving approach to its work as the manufacturing company it serves.

As she prepares to retire after managing the University of Houston’s in-plant for nearly two decades, Sally Rowland-Ketley reflects on her career.

Trevecca Nazarene University has a digital print shop that produces everything from tests to full-blown marketing campaigns. The in-plant was not always successful, though. In 2013, the shop was filled with older copy machines, which were so outdated the university was considering closing the shop. Then something happened to change all that.

Tammy Golden wanted to work in the music business. But unbeknownst to her, printing blood was running through her veins. She is now leading the State of Tennessee’s Communication, Publishing and Distribution department.

With the five-year lease on its Xerox Color 800i press coming to an end, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Print & Copy Services wanted to replace it with something that would deliver up-to-date performance. So the in-plant evaluated devices from four manufacturers and made some surprising discoveries.

As one of the first in the ­country to install ­Xerox’s ­cut-sheet ­production inkjet press, Pekin I­nsurance is now enhancing its ­statements with four-color ­printing.

As the first in-plant to install Konica Minolta’s new cut-sheet production inkjet press, the AccurioJet KM-1, Shaw Industries expects to reach new levels of productivity and cost savings.

In-plants ­prosper when the value they offer customers extends ­beyond print. Here’s how the ­University of ­Oklahoma’s in-plant has capitalized on the ­opportunity.

When these vendors say they support in-plants, they don’t just mean they sell them digital printing equipment. They run in-plants of their own, which gives them an intimate understanding of the struggles in-plants face and the benefits they provide.

With the goal of releasing children from poverty, Compassion International relies heavily on its in-plant to spread the word and keep sponsors in touch with the children they support.