Will represent 13 percent of the total U.S. print market

Pewaukee, Wisconsin, – Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association (PII) and the Printing Industries of Wisconsin (PIW) recently combined to create a new association that represents 13 percent of the total print market in the United States. The new association, the Great Lakes Graphics Association, represents an area that consists of 3,400 establishments, with more than 118,000 employees and combined annual shipments of nearly $19 billion per year, according to Printing Industries of America's most recent Print Market Atlas. The Great Lakes Graphic Association, to be headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, will support members and the print industry through state directors in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and will strengthen the regional and national identity and market position of this important industry.

James Sandstrom, president of HM Graphics (West Allis, Wisconsin) and Chairman of PIW's Board of Directors, believes that combining the associations to form a new organization will help better serve members. "Combining the strength of the associations in Illinois/Indiana and Wisconsin to create a new organization makes sense, especially in an industry that continues to consolidate and evolve. The new organization will increase value and expand services to its members, which are especially appealing," said Sandstrom.

The Midwest remains the strongest print market in the United States and Bill Barta, president of Rider Dickerson (Bellwood, Illinois) and current PII chair believes the combined organization will only help to strengthen an already strong market. "Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin have helped make the Midwest a national and global printing hub. As a regional organization, Great Lakes Graphics Association will strengthen our market leadership and give our members the support and tools that they need to grow and succeed," said Barta.

Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America, believes the combined organization will add increased value to members across the three-state region. "It is clear that members in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin will benefit tremendously as resources are combined to create a consolidated association where the best of each organization will be offered to all. The overwhelming value proposition offered by this merger will undoubtedly establish one of the strongest affiliates in Printing Industries of America. I congratulate all involved," said Makin.

Founded in 1927, PII serves the print and graphic arts community in Illinois and Indiana. PII's current membership is nearly 350 companies and is home to one of the largest concentrations of printers and print-related companies in the United States.

PIW is currently celebrating 125 years of operation. Established as the Milwaukee Typothetae in 1886, PIW expanded over the years to include other organizations such as the Ben Franklin Club, the Graphic Arts Association, and the Master Printers Association. Wisconsin is home to some of the largest printers in the United States, but also represents a wide range of different types of print processes such as sheetfed and web offset, flexographic, screen, and rotogravure.

PII and PIW are both affiliates of the world's largest graphic arts trade association, Printing Industries of America, which has more than 10,000 member companies worldwide. Printing Industries of America represents an industry with nearly one million employees.