Milwaukee, WI -- First Edge Solutions has acquired Proven Direct, a Milwaukee-based provider of on-demand marketing, document output services, and photo book publishing. The acquisition adds to First Edge’s national network of sales offices and production facilities in Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Atlanta.

“Strategically, this gives us a competitive advantage of expanding our 1-to-1 technology and our data-driven communication platform,” said First Edge President and CEO, Robert M. Kraft. “They have a first class digital print and mail facility with good clients, and we’ll add value to their operation with our proprietary multi-channel software and national footprint.”

The acquisition of Proven Direct effectively doubles the First Edge capacity at its Milwaukee Headquarters with a state-of-the-art facility, making them one of the few companies in the country with the ability to affordably roll out a client’s multi-channel national distribution strategy.

“With this expansion, First Edge is better positioned to negotiate national contracts with suppliers to drive down costs for customers. From an IT standpoint, our strength in applying data management to both marketing and business-critical applications immediately benefits Proven Direct’s customers. For example, they now have access to our software innovations like OrderNet, our web-to-print platform," said Kraft.

The acquisition also significantly boosts First Edge’s printing, finishing, and mailing capabilities through the addition of all Proven Direct manufacturing equipment. Among the acquired pieces, highlights include six HP Indigo presses, two Videojet BX Inkjet printers, and an Axode Video Matching System. 

“With the additional equipment we are able to not only increase capacity in Milwaukee, but in our Atlanta and Phoenix locations as well,” said VP of Manufacturing Mike Herald. “Now we can handle every job in any of our three production facilities, which increases our production efficiency and reduces costs. We’ve added the ability to produce hard cover photo books and other unique products giving our customers a variety of printing options that they didn’t have before.” 

First Edge Solutions’ corporate headquarters will move to the former Proven Direct facility at 1301 West Canal Street in Milwaukee.