The first quarter of 2006 finished with Presstek, manufacturer and marketer of digital imaging solutions for the graphic arts and laser imaging markets, reaching $70.6 million in revenue and operating profits of $3.9 million. It was revenue up, net income up, operating profit up—all good signs that the company has executed on a strategic change from an OEM model to a direct sales model.

Ed Marino, Presstek’s president and CEO, spoke with WhatTheyThink and provided some insight behind the solid numbers. The company’s announcement quoted Marino as saying: "We are off to a strong start in 2006. This is the first quarter where we realized the full effect of the series of strategic moves we initiated at the end of 2004. These strategic moves included the acquisition of key assets and their subsequent integration, as well as our efforts to strengthen channels to market, rationalize product lines, build competencies, and orient priorities around growth in our digital product lines. Presstek has emerged as a new company performing with a common purpose, completely integrated and in control of the commercialization of our technology into products and the delivery of our products to customers."

WTT: Thanks for taking the time to tell us "rest of the story," so to speak. So the signs are pointing up; that’s good. How did you get to this point?