Small business awardee has left its mark for over five decades

 

 

With a vision that launched the small business that continues to thrive 52 years later, Schwartzkopf Printing Inc. is the RiverBend Growth Association December 2024 Small Business of the Month award recipient.

Located at 4121 Humbert Road in Alton, across the way from the current-day Alton High School, Neal Schwartzkopf started the business in 1972. As a “forms” salesman, Neal thought he’d make more money if he printed the forms he was selling himself. He bought a small press, then he and daughter Terry got to work. His two sons, Tom and Jim, would eventually join in the business as well. They continued growing and moving to different locations to accommodate the new and bigger presses they acquired.

Son Jim and his wife Donna bought the business from Dad Neal in 1988, and still own the business today. In 1990, a small screen-printing company that had been renting space in the Schwartzkopf building decided to cease operations. That company left its equipment behind, and Donna was convinced that breaking into the screen-printing business would be a great idea for expanding Schwartzkopf Printing. Both sides of the business have continued to grow by leaps and bounds ever since.

“We started as a small, one-press shop, printing forms; we also now offer digital prints, large format prints like banners and yard signs, and 8-color screen printing and embroidery,” notes Laura Manns, Jim and Donna’s daughter. Both she and sister Monica have joined the family business now, and they plan to continue the legacy of hard work and exceptional customer service.

“As a third-generation company, we could not see ourselves anywhere but Alton, Illinois,” Manns adds. “This community thrives and grows on each other’s successes. We are where we are today because of the people in this town.”

In the last five years, the business has made several improvements, and additions as well. In 2019, an addition was added to the building to house the two new screen-printing presses acquired, as well as the large format presses. “With this addition, we went from being able to print 6-spot colors to 8-spot colors in screen printing. This adds another layer of design capability for our clients,” says Manns. “Our large format presses are constantly running, with banners, yard signs, magnetic signage, decals and even more.”

Laura Manns joined the business in 2006, leaving briefly in 2010 to raise her family. She returned to Schwartzkopf Printing full-time in 2020. Her sister Monica joined the family business in 2014. “She has not looked up for a second to breathe since,” jokes Manns. “Much of the business’s growth in screen-printing and large-format printing is due to her exceptional customer service.”

With the new building addition, the company’s screen-printing staff went from three to five printers. They are printing and running at full staff year-round. A full-time digital press operator was also hired to keep up with the high demand of quick, full-color prints, such as postcards, brochures and flyers. Schwartzkopf Printing has also added another graphic designer, now staffing three full-time designers and two more positions in customer service. The company employs 23 in total.

“We are constantly learning new machines and methods to keep up with the changing climate of the printing industry. We are always open to new ideas from our employees and make any changes that will help workflow,” says Manns. “We all learn together down here. We do not want anyone to feel boxed into their position. Two of our screen printers can run downstairs and help in bindery if the load is too heavy, and multiple people can hop from computer screen to digital press to large format press.”

When asked about the greatest opportunities they have had, Manns notes, “The screen-printing business has grown into an incredible market for us. When Donna started this division of the company, she was selling shirts at Alton Square Mall in a kiosk. We are now printing for multi-million-dollar organizations and shipping all over the United States. The best part of this business is that we can truly offer our client all of their printing needs under one roof.

“When a client walks in and needs a logo and business cards to start their business, we can do that. Then we can get them a magnet to advertise on their car, a sign to hang on their building, the pocket folder and brochure to hand out to their clients and swag to wear and show off their new business name. They do not need to go anywhere else. From pens to product magazines, we can do it all,” she adds further.

As for the challenges along their 52-year journey thus far, Manns shares, “All family businesses face challenges. It can be quite challenging separating the family relationships from the work relationships. That is why we surround ourselves with outstanding employees who help us make the best choices for the business even when the family members may disagree.

“Employee conflict is another hard area. In a small business, you truly come to love and see your employees as family. So, when an incident occurs and you have to part ways, it is a true loss. Every person who has worked here gave value to this business and we wish nothing but the best for them, even if that means finding their purpose somewhere else,” Manns says.

“COVID-19 lockdowns were very hard on us. We had to lay employees off and cut in every place we could. Thankfully, we have built the business in a way that we have several places to offer services from, so we kept the doors open and pushed through. But we hated letting our employees down. And are still recuperating today from the loss we incurred,” she further notes.

The family-owned small business is also deeply committed to making the community a better place. Manns shares, “The community is more than a place for us to serve; it is serving the people in this community where we find our true calling at Schwartzkopf Printing. Every person that walks through our door or calls the office has a story. The bride needing invites, the shirts to raise money for a recent cancer diagnosis, the little league team fundraising for new equipment. We have been touched by all these stories and blessed enough to make them a part of our business.

“We sponsor many local charity events through donations of materials like yard signs, banners and flyers,” she adds. “We are so thankful for our clients, and we always try to find a way to give back whenever we can.”

Among the company’s “dearest” places to serve, Manns further notes, are St. Mary’s Church, Mustache March4PD, The Jake Ringering Memorial Fund, and the area schools.

“We believe that we are true examples of what hard work, grit and faith in God, and each other, can look like. Through all the highs and lows, the Schwartzkopf Family and their employees never gave up. We continue to grow and strive to give this area everything they need in a printing business and more,” Manns notes further.

For more information about Schwartzkopf Printing Inc. and services the company can provide, visit online at http://www.schwprinting.com/ or call (618) 463-0747.

The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.

RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vicki Hake, Vickie Hopkins, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz and Alexis Weller.

To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.