Editor note: A company spokesperson confirmed they closed as of last week, but provided no additional details. Bob Gay, President of Mallard Press could not be reached for comment.

We understand that Mallard Press has closed and are looking into the details. This firm served well-known companies such as Sara Lee Corporation. The independently owned and operated company located near Chicago has been in business for more than 30 years. At the end of 2008, the company acquired American Graphic Specialties, a long-time provider of specialty products and services. AGS specialized in engineering, and finishing customized products such as; presentation folders, point-of-purchase items, counter cards, folding cartons, laminated items and many types of packaged products.

Mallard has an impressive production portfolio, including Canon Digital and Komori, Miller and Ryobi offset, as well as a KBA Genius 52 Waterless UV Press. The company positioned itself as a single source provider offering graphic design, prepress, project management, data processing and postal presorts, as well as personalization and lettershop and mailing services. The latest profile I could find estimates that the company generated about $3 million in sales with 25 employees. If that is accurate, they were relatively in line with average sales per employee for the industry at $120,000.

Mallard Press is apparently another victim of the combination of a sharp economic downturn and the aggressive structural changes our industry is undergoing. Its home page says “Come and experience the ‘Best Kept Secret’ in the printing industry with your next marketing program.” Perhaps they kept the secret too well. We will be looking for more information on this closure over the next few days