St. Croix Press, Inc. - Flying Colors

St.CroixPress,Inc.

Flying Colors

At St. Croix Press, Inc. we believe our printed product is only as good as the people who make the presses run everyday and facilitate the work flow, year after year. We present this as a salute to them and to their daily dedication. To the time, and unbelievable skill they put into every job, big and small. These are some of their stories. This is their work.

CLIPPER BUTTERFLY

Richard “I began in the printing industry in 1970, working with four printers before coming to my current job. I started in the bindery, moved to prepress, and then to management. During those years, I discovered I had the most fun and highest job satisfaction while helping customers solve problems. Together we’d roll up our sleeves and get things done.

I joined the St. Croix Press, Inc. team in 2002 – the best move of my professional career! My work has never been as enjoyable as it is today. I approach sales believing that people love to buy, they just hate to be sold. Printing is more than ink on paper. It’s about forging partnerships with

“I believe people love to buy, they just hate to be sold.”

clients and loyalties that reach beyond the job. Customers have become my friends.

I have been blessed to be married for over 45+ years. We have a son, daughter, son-in-law, and our adorable grandchildren.

My hobbies are golfing, hunting, fishing and reading but my real passions are God and my family.”

Richard (Dick) E., Sales Representative

LUNA MOTH

Mark “I started working at St. Croix Press, Inc., in 1996 in the Litho Prep department.

A few years later I moved into our Production Department as an Account Exec.

The relationships developed with customers, and those working for the pub-

“The relationships developed with customers, and those working for the publishers, have been truly enjoyable.”

lishers, have been truly enjoyable. Seeing a publication “come to life” from initial files to the finished and labeled product is fun to see. That process goes quicker and more efficiently than jobs coming through twenty years ago. The days of film imposition and “blue lines” are long gone!

My wife and I are the proud parents of two sons. One is in college at Concordia University, St. Paul and the younger will be finishing high school soon. Family and friends provide me with support and lots of interesting times. I enjoy golfing when I get the opportunity and am a big sports fan: Gophers, Vikings, Twins—rivals with the favorites of many of my co-workers here in Western Wisconsin: Badgers, Packers, Brewers.

It makes for a lot of fun and bantor!”

Mark P., Customer Service

LACEWING NYMPHALIDAE

Troy “I came to St. Croix Press, Inc. in 1986, fresh out of high school. I started as a prep helper, then moved into platemaking and stripping. Learning something new suited me, but in joining the prepress department in 1994 I found the perfect fit. Adapting to the ever-changing technologies is stimulating. Helping customers with problems and trouble shooting gives me a tangible connection to the printed piece. I let them know I want nothing but the best for their job and together we’ll find the solutions. I

“Helping customers with problems and trouble shooting gives me a connection to the printed piece.”

find it very satisfying.

The people I work with are amazing.

Many have become my best friends.

My dad worked here in the bindery for 34 years as a book binder so I’m a second generation St. Croix Press, Inc. employee.

I have a wonderful wife and two children who I’m extremely proud of. We enjoy the outdoors, especially here, living in western Wisconsin.”

Troy S., Prepress department

Dan “Fresh out of high school and a member of the Wisconsin National Guard my story began at St. Croix Press in 1989. Wow, the years fly by! I started out working in the Litho Prep department as a proofer, then plate-maker, and finally a journeyman stripper.

Film left the scene about the time we entered the new millennium and digital imposition became the new norm. I

“That [being a Plant Manager] involves wearing a number of hats . . . each day is an adventure!”

became Second Shift Plant Manager and eventually moved to my current role as Plant Manager. That involves wearing a number of hats including overseeing quality control, scheduling, staffing, safety issues, and even some shoveling during a Wisconsin snow storm!

My wife and I, along with our two teenagers, live outside of town in a typical “Wisconsin Country” setting.

Farm fields and wooded areas are part of who we are. Hunting, fishing, fourwheeling, running, and weight lifting, and now the newest hobby, maple syruping, keep me active and acting young. Each day is an adventure!”

Dan K., Plant Manager

SULPHUR BUTTERFLY

Tom “I joined St. Croix Press, Inc. in March of 1981. Coming from a large manufacturing corporation, I quickly experienced the

“Some folks say color is subjective.

It is. But there’s also good printing and then there’s what were they thinking printing.”

benefits of working for a smaller, family oriented company. We work together and we play together—golf outings, bowling and fishing tournaments are common. Like a family, we feel connected in our purpose.

I began as a feeder with a good eye for color and in three years I was running a small press. Today it’s a six-color computerized beast.

As technology has advanced, our customers have come to rely on us for our consistent print quality and competitive prices. We invite them to press checks and earn their respect and long term commitment during the process. I’m proud of that.

It’s a concrete validation of my work.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 30+ years. We have two beautiful daughters. I enjoy entertaining family and friends at our lake home in northern Wisconsin and hunting the mountains of Wyoming, the flats of Iowa and the woods of Wisconsin.”

Tom F., Pressman

LEAFWING BUTTERFLY

Ellen “It was the fall of 1998 that I began working at St. Croix Press, Inc. I became a “Bookbinder I” a few years later. What is a “Bookbinder I” you may ask? We are responsible for setting up and running the equipment in our bindery/finishing department—that could

“We are responsible for setting up and running the equipment in our bindery/finishing department.”

be setting up saddle-stitchers and perfect binders. Bookbinder I’s also run the cutters, folders, tippers, tabbers, and mailing equipment. I work the second shift and have gotten accustomed to that lifestyle over the years.

Have you ever driven your vehicle through a foot of snow with the wind blowing and the snow still coming down?

Fortunately, that hasn’t happened very often in my years of driving to and from work. Ninety-nine percent of the time the scenery and my “commute” are quite beautiful. My husband of 23 years and I live on a former farm about 45 minutes away from St. Croix Press, Inc. We like traveling and have been on some wonderful cruises. I enjoy mowing the grass, gardening, and watching Packer football. All good things here in Wisconsin!”

Ellen O., Bindery

SPANGLED FRITTILARY

Jeri “I began working at St Croix Press, Inc. in 1979 in the composition division. I took 5 years off while my children were little and then came back because of the “family” atmosphere and philosophy of the company.

Paging, editing, proofreading, and formatting are some terms from those days at St. Croix Press, Inc. Today, it’s CRIDs, permits, postal forms, co-mailing, etc. I work in our circulation department, and am the liaison between the USPS and our customers. I also help out in our sales department assisting our sales staff in preparing materials for trade

“Today, it’s CRIDs, permits, postal forms, co-mailing, etc.”

shows and promotions. I enjoy the interactions with our existing customers as well as potential new customers.

My husband and I have resided in the area for most of our lives and enjoy the small town atmosphere while still being close to the Twin Cities metro area. I love to sing and perform with several area groups. We have two grandchildren that we are busy spoiling. Family is an important part of our lives and we get together often to BBQ and play cards.”

Jeri T., Postal Liaison

Ed and Mike Monette

“If

I were to summarize our mission statement in one

word it would be “integrity.” Our mantra would simply be: Treat other people the way you would like them to treat you and

“I

couldn’t ask for a better work situation. My mentor,

friend and Dad offered me a tremendous opportunity. He, along with three other employees of the former Dairyland

do the best job you can, every time. These

Press, approached corporate manage-

are timeless values that have served us well

ment with their dream of buying out the

for the past 45+ years and they will always

print division from Domain Industries.

form our foundational rock.

They called in favors, borrowed, and

We are experiencing challenging and excit-

finally scraped together enough funds to

ing times of change in our industry. The

purchase the small sheet-fed and letter-

rapid development of new technologies and

press shop on September 14, 1971. The

automated processes has changed the print-

company grew and developed into one

ing industry forever. We continually strive to

of the finest publication printers in the

meet the communications needs of our cus-

nation. Whenever I attend trade shows

tomers and provide the print solutions that

and conferences, I hear of the respect

complement and integrate with their other

that Ed’s peers from other printing com-

media choices. We’ve enjoyed being a part of

panies have for him and the employees

this journey in print communications for the

of St. Croix Press. Ed is known as “The

past 50+ years in my case, and the past 30

Frenchman” by those who know him.

years for Mike. We look forward to a tremendous adventure in

The St. Croix River valley, from whence we derived our com-

the years to come.

pany name, was traversed by French-Canadian voyageurs

I’m pleased that the strong tradition of St. Croix Press, Inc.

centuries ago. Some of that same spirit of discovery, courage

will continue. We are truly a family and that family relationship

and adventure characterizes our company and the man who

extends to our customers.”

formed it.”

Ed Monette, Owner

Mike Monette, General Manager

ST. CROIX PRESS, INC. CALL 1 800 826 6622 OR CONTACT US ONLINE AT WWW.STCROIXPRESS.COM