Blending cutting-edge tech with creative expertise allows Innomark Communications to deliver next-level visual merchandising solutions
Known for building the industry’s most unique integrated visual merchandising solutions, Innomark Communications sees ongoing success through strategic investments and a client-first approach. The company’s long legacy began over 30 years ago, as Executive Vice President, Steve Zick, begins: “What eventually became Innomark Communications was founded through the purchase of a large format lithographic printing company in Dayton, Ohio, in 1991. This acquisition was undertaken by three partners from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
“Their vision was to create a vertically integrated provider of product packaging, retail displays, in-store signage, and environments. Since 1991, that vision has been realized through growth and acquisition of a wide-ranging scope of equipment, capabilities, and services. Today, Innomark is one of the largest privately held companies in our space.
“We manufacture a range of goods, from simple in-store signs to elaborate experiential retail spaces. Some of our most popular products include folding carton packaging, large-and small format lithographic, digital and flexographic printing, custom-designed displays, interactive displays, and in-store décor elements.
“In recent years, the business has grown to include agency services, wide-ranging creative services, in-house production, and custom kit packing for each retail location, fulfillment services and installation.”
Having outgrown its previous hub of operations, Innomark Communications recently invested in an all-new facility, as Steve details: “Following significant growth in 2012, our digital print department moved to a temporary facility. The building — which served its purpose but was not ideal for production or growth — recently came up for sale, and that triggered us to explore other options. Ultimately, we decided to build a new factory on five acres that we own adjacent to our large format lithographic factory.
“The new 100,000 square-foot unit is already providing a more energy-efficient and purpose-built environment for our existing digital print equipment. The building earned Clean Air Project certification from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, ensuring it’s fit to support our operation as we enter the next generation of digital print technology.”
The company has also invested in the strategic modernization of its Indiana-based production hub, as Steve reveals: “The experience during and after the pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of folding carton packaging production as a part of our business mix. It also showed us that we needed to upgrade some of our machinery, and, from a cost standpoint, this was a very good time to buy equipment. Everything felt aligned, and we knew it was the right time to invest.
“Additions to the facility included a ten-color UV perfecting press, high-speed die cutting and multiple high-speed folder gluers. The result is a far more capable operation with the ability to serve the carton needs of a variety of clients in areas like personal care, pharmaceutical, and direct and indirect food contact, among others.”
Sustainable approach
Investing in more than just its own future, Innomark Communications also aims to protect the planet, with greener business practices across the board: “Innomark has always had strong recycling programs and a focus on low- or no-VOC chemistry in our operations. We’ve also held FSC certification since 2008.
“The new digital print facility gave us the opportunity to design a building with both the internal and external environments in mind, thus the Clean Air Project certification. In addition, our operations team is now tracking carbon emissions with the goal of finding opportunities for reduction or offsets wherever possible.
“Our creative staff have utilized sustainable design methodology to reduce negative environmental impacts through materials, process, and end-of-life
consideration. They produce designs suitable for each engagement, within the remit of: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,” Steve confirms.
In keeping with its tech-forward approach, Innomark Communications has also integrated artificial intelligence and automation into its operation, as Steve
affirms: “We’ve been prioritizing automation at the plant level for the past few years.
This includes auto-cartoning equipment that nearly quadrupled the speed of our glueing lines in our packaging facility, as well as continuous feed components in our printing and fabrication departments.
“On the other hand, AI is being used most heavily in our design efforts. On the content side, AI has been an invaluable tool for inspiring and storyboarding the flow of podcasts and videos. It helps us map out ideas more efficiently, ensuring that our narratives resonate with the intended audience.
“For visuals, we’ve used AI to create dynamic product photography backgrounds, enhancing the appeal of our shots. We’ve also been adding or removing elements within existing photos – to either extend the frame or refine the image to fit specific needs.”
Human connections
Combining smart technology with a people-centric ethos has allowed Innomark Communications to thrive, as Steve outlines: “The enhancement of our Retail Without Boundaries team in Pittsburgh is making a big impact for our clients. This group of experts oversees each client’s unique manufacturing journey and drives solutions that fit the budget and meet the customer’s goals.
“Early engagement with the client for each project is a significant component for success. This includes a cooperative process with the client that identifies manufacturing options that are a match between fashion and function, with minimal waste or environmental impact. We then work together to steer a display, for example, toward a solution that uses the minimal amount of material to perform in the field.
“It’s impossible to overstate how important our clients are to us. We’d like to thank them for placing their trust in us to execute flawlessly for the past 34 years. It’s also vital that we acknowledge the support of our suppliers, without whom we cannot maintain the level of service our clients have grown to expect.
“As a privately held company, Innomark Communications operates through the power of the human connections we share with our team members, suppliers, and customers. Those connections, and the genuine concern of our nearly 400 employees, allow us to remain a nimble, client-centric manufacturer,” he asserts.
With the right team, and the right tools, anything is possible. Steve considers what the next chapter has in store: “The difference that we see in the market, between those companies that have been acquired by one of the industry conglomerates, or through private equity, has shown us that maintaining private ownership is ideal.
“In addition, we’re excited to adopt the next generation of production technology for our print and fabrication operations. We are also looking to add equipment and software to serve our clients in new ways that expand beyond the bricks and mortar of retail,” he concludes.