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Thriving on Change when Business is Tough
It’s no secret that the package printing industry has become increasingly competitive over the last two decades. Yet, in the last decade, one Rochester company grew their sales year over year by double digits. Today, they have $ 100 million in sales and 400 employees. For this feat, James E. Hammer, President and CEO of Hammer Packaging, was awarded the Vanden Brul Award by RIT’s E. Philip Saunders School of Business. Each year this award goes to a local business entrepreneur who made a significant impact on the Rochester business economy.
Since taking over as president and CEO Jim Hammer has fostered a culture centered on the inevitability of change. “Expect it, accept it, thrive on it,” says Hammer. New Hammer associates hear this message when hired and continually throughout their careers. “Our markets have gotten progressively more competitive, and the driving challenge is to maintain one’s competitive advantage. To us that equates to innovation,” says Hammer.
But, innovation does not simply happen. At Hammer Packaging, an Innovation Department looks to leverage emerging technologies. This commitment to leading-edge technology has been recognized by the industry: The company is ranked among the top five printers in North America when it comes to reinvesting back into the business. A recent example is a new press technology that uses electron beam inks and coatings which have unique properties, as well as provides for a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional printing methods. This investment was quickly followed with a 10-color press, expanding Hammer packaging’s capabilities in the pressure sensitive markets.
Innovation is also driven by the company’s quality system. It aims to respond to customer concerns. The company had five facilities and needed to improve communications to provide customers with better quality service. So, early this year Hammer Packaging installed a new ERP system. “We feel it is critical to provide our employees with the tools to get their jobs done as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Hammer.
Innovation has also influenced policies for its people. Last year Hammer packaging was honored with the Rochester Business Ethics Award. In addition, the company continues to receive a Best Workplace in America award from the printing industry. “Both of these honors are a tribute to the associates at Hammer Packaging. We focus a lot of time on hiring the right people,” says Hammer.
And it is those people, along with shared ideas and resources that have allowed Hammer Packaging to stay ahead of the curve on print technology and innovation.
In 1998, Hammer faced a difficult choice: stay in Rochester or move the majority of the operations to North Carolina. A discussion with RIT’s then president, Al Simone, helped influence the final decision. Hammer acquired space from RIT at their Business Technology Park. Close relationships with RIT and their School of Print Media contributed to innovation at Hammer Packaging. And, in 2006 they invested almost $ 6 million to expand their operations in Henrietta.
In 2007, competing against 5200 entries from firms around the world, Hammer Packaging received four Premier Print Awards. With a view to reducing its carbon footprint, Hammer Packaging consolidated five facilities in to three increasing their presence in Tech Park almost by a factor of four. Hammer Packaging is a great local success story and one of the most widely respected companies in the region and in their industry. Innovation has driven the company to find creative ways to stay ahead of the competition, to develop its people and – happily – to stay in Rochester.
