These advancements have not only enhanced Impact Label’s efficiency and competitiveness but also reaffirmed our commitment to delivering top-quality products to our longstanding customer base. The transition wasn’t easy, and there were certainly roadblocks along the way.
“It was tough for my father and the previous generation because purchasing new technology was a risk,” Fogleson explained. “Investing in the newest and greatest was a challenge.”
Cleveland reflected on the challenges of managing multiple locations in an era before digital communication, where cumbersome processes and costly shipping methods hindered productivity.
“We had four locations and all communication was through the mail, fax, or phone,” Cleveland continued. “We’d process everything here and ship out jobs to the other three facilities through UPS. It took a lot of time, and it was costly.”
In the 60s and 70s, business was driven by a physical presence and sales teams across different states. However, when Fogleson took over the company, leadership realized that maintaining multiple locations was no longer viable, prompting a gradual consolidation process.
In 2014, faced with maxed-out capacity and antiquated equipment at their original office, Impact Label made the bold decision to build a new facility. Berry was deeply involved in the planning and execution of the new building. Berry recounted the challenges during consolidation, particularly in integrating new technologies and upskilling employees.
“We had difficulty managing employees and inventory across different locations. We had to bring a new technology that we weren’t familiar with into the building,” Berry said. “We were learning about lean manufacturing and moving away from antiquated processes and procedures. We started to figure out a better way to do things.”
Through meticulous planning and collaboration with local partners like AVB, Impact Label successfully navigated these hurdles and emerged stronger than ever. The modular design of the new facility, with provisions for future expansion, reflects a forward-thinking approach and positions us for future growth and scalability.
“I helped with laying out the machinery and using the space in a way that allowed us to grow,” Berry said. “The back wall is removable, so we could expand if we needed to double the size. The goal was to set us up for the future.”
Aside from technological advancements, Impact Label has adapted our sales and marketing tactics to be digital.
“Another huge shift for us was going with KARMA jack and eliminating sales reps,” said Berry. “We never would have thought of doing our marketing through digital technology. It was always face-to-face, having meetings in person–but that’s not the way business is done today. How we’re going to grow the business moving forward is completely different than the last 58 years.”
