nexGen Grafix Inc. by Business in Edmonton Magazine

Two gen erati o n s o f DeJon gs wi th n exGen ’s fl agsh i p Komor i pr i n ti n g press .

nexGen Grafix Inc.

The Evolution of Print Technology By Nerissa McNaughton

The next generation takes over Edmonton’s long-standing premier printing company

ome things get better with age. Cheese, wine, knowledge, experience and, in the case of nexGen Grafix, the fine art of digital and offset printing. The company formerly known as DeJong Printing Ltd. is in constant evolution. Stuart DeJong is the son of a printer, who emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada in 1977. His son, Henk DeJong, enrolled in Computer Science at the University of Alberta. “I thought he’d be a second Bill Gates or something,” Stuart laughs with pride. Bill Gates’ job is secure for now, because Henk veered off his original career path in 1987 when he decided he preferred to work in the family business. Henk’s enthusiasm, computer knowledge and fresh ideas ushered in a new era for the company. To make a bigger point of this evolution and given Stuart’s retirement, in 2012 Henk changed the company name to nexGen Grafix Inc. Henk builds the next generation of print technology on a

solid foundation. The company was launched in Edmonton in 1979 with Stuart as entrepreneur, owner and sole worker. Today the company has over 15 employees, all of which the DeJongs describe with the words “fantastic,” “loyal,” “well-trained” and “we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.” When Stuart’s plans with a business partner in Ontario fell through, he simply changed direction, moved to Edmonton and set up shop. His entrepreneurial spirit never waned, leading to a branch opening in the Okanagan during the early 1990s. While the venture there did not turn out exactly as planned, the British Columbia branch’s smaller operation drove plenty of business to his large format presses in Edmonton. Always one to recognize a great idea, Stuart decided to reduce overhead by maintaining only a sales presence in B.C. – a presence that still funnels work to Edmonton today.

nex G en G r a fi x I n c . | 35 Ye a r s

T h e o r ig in al He idelberg d iec ut t ing p re s s : 6 0 ye ar o ld t ec hnology, st ill in u s e t od ay.

Th e Ko dak NexPress: to day’s tech n o l o gy pro du ci n g l eadi n g-edge di gi tal pr i n ti n g.

Henk, who grew up watching his father run the presses, was more than happy to take over the reins of the family business. Knowing he could use today’s technology to take the company to the next level, Henk came into the ownership position bursting with energy and zest for change. As Henk proudly states on the nexGen Grafix website, the company has the “same quality, same ethic, new generation, new stuff.” This “new stuff ” includes the 2011 addition of the Komori LSX629c as nexGen’s flagship offset printing press. “Compared to our previous Komori Lithrone 628c, this unique mid-size press can run six letter-size pages on one 24” x 29.5” sheet at a rate of 16,000 per hour,” says Henk. This powerhouse of a press is highly

Congratulations to nexGen Grafix on your 35th Anniversary. From your partners at Spicers.

automated, and loaded with features to reduce excess waste, making it one of the more eco-friendly presses in the industry. nexGen Grafix has also evolved in environmental practices. The company is committed to using products that minimize environmental impact, not just in ink, papers and solvents, but also in packaging and plastic materials. Plate processing chemicals are neutralized, and they safely recycle as many materials as possible. The notion of environmental accountability is also evidenced in the second major equipment investment made in late 2011, the Kodak NexPress 2700SX digital production press. “While other digital presses may use toners, which are environmentally very harmful (or even non-destructible), the dry inks

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used in the NexPress are fully recyclable,” says Henk. “Similarly, the NexGlosser accessory uses the same dry ink to produce a high-gloss finish, which is a far more environmentally friendly process than the equivalent UV coating or laminating.” Henk has already made a number of changes to the equipment and processes, but there are some things he is content to leave the same. One of nexGen Grafix’s founding principles

might be worded as “do more with less, but do it better,” which has served the company well since its inception. For nexGen Grafix, doing more with less means being able to provide better quality, better service, better sales consultants and better equipment; which in turn leads to less waste, lower turnover and fewer meetings (more time to be productive) and ultimately, greater customer satisfaction. nexGen Grafix works only with what and who they need, keeping away from any excess to ensure a smooth, tight, well-run operation. Both senior and junior DeJong can certainly attribute the success of the company to hard work, careful planning and forward-thinking gradual evolution, but the humble past and present owners attribute much of their success to their Christian beliefs. They know they are guided and blessed by God in the opportunities that allowed them to grow the company into what is today. Their beliefs also play a very big part in how the company is run – morally, ethically and honestly at every level. This year nexGen Grafix celebrates 35 years in business. Many thousands of projects have been produced during those years, and the impact of some of them still resonate within the city today. Few know about the mystery surrounding a civic election that almost didn’t happen until DeJong Printing literally saved the day; and doubtless there will be many more fascinating stories as Henk takes nexGen Grafix into the future at the head of this energetic first-rate company.

11661 - 163 Street 780-451-0571 or 1-800-268-3421 website at www.nexgengrafix.com

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Congratulations, nexGen Grafix!

Congratulations nexGen Grafix on 35 years! Look to Ernest Green for everything green in the printing industry. We help you achieve your green objectives with environmental products and solutions throughout your operation.

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Congratulations nexGen Grafix! We wish you many years of continued success!

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Congratulations nexGen Grafix on your 35 years!

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