MBE Spotlights

COMMONWEALTH PRINTING

Moving to the Future of Printing Commonwealth Printing, the area’s only minority-owned full-service printer is in the process of redefining itself and how it does business. Old equipment and processes are being rapidly replaced with new printing technologies that are more efficient and, more important, make it easier for customers to do business with Commonwealth. White Printing, which had been in business in Louisville since 1942, acquired Commonwealth in 1996. The company runs two shifts and employs 32 people. Like most printing companies, Commonwealth has seen quite a few changes in the industry over the years and the company feels it is ready to forge ahead under the new leadership of President Michael Hewitt. Hewitt, who joined the firm in April, has an extensive background in graphic arts and spent the last eight years advising other printing companies on new technologies. Commonwealth feels that its future is in digital print technologies and automated print processes. In the past, individuals in the printing field have learned the trade through generations of experienced tradesmen. In an effort to attract minority / nontraditional students into the field, Commonwealth has established an apprenticeship program with the Prosser School of Technology Graphic Communications Department. The agreement adds employment opportunities to the existing curriculum by allowing students to work during school breaks and the summer. Students will work in a variety of areas within the company to better acclimate them to the workforce. In addition to printing work for KMSDC, Commonwealth lists several prominent companies and organizations such as UPS, Aegon, and Kentucky Derby Festival as clients. “After receiving a number of bids to print our 2000 Annual Report, we were pleased to offer the project to Commonwealth. They have always proved to be reliable and very professional,” states Stacey Robinson, with the Kentucky Derby Festival. The combination of strong leadership, investment in the latest technology and equipment, and the history of quality customer service and finished products puts Commonwealth Printing in the forefront of the field!