Open house draws over 200 guests including Illinois Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries

BOPI, one of the Midwest’s most respected providers of print, mail, and E-commerce solutions located in Bloomington, IL, held an exciting open house at its facility in February 2015 to “cut the ribbon” on its new KBA Rapida 106 press, the first in North America with HR-UV. The turnout and spirit of the event was phenomenal; well over 200 guests attended the open house throughout the day. 

“Our message is clear,” says Tom Mercier, president and CEO of BOPI. “This big investment in our KBA 18,000 sph Rapida press—the first of its kind in North America---makes a statement. It proclaims that we have been around a long time and we intend to be around here much longer. We are financially strong and growing. We care about print and we care about our customers.  Print is an important part of the market place. Print is here and has a rightful place in today’s market.”

“What an absolutely-amazing well-organized event,” says Steve Korn, director of national and key accounts for KBA North America. “With over 200 customers and distinguished guests in attendance, the largest sheetfed investment to take place in downstate Illinois in over five years has garnished the important exposure it well deserves. This investment would not have been possible without BOPI’s Tom and Jeff Mercier’s market-oriented customer-centric approach which is why BOPI enjoys so many satisfied customers and is growing at a high pace.”

The dramatic unveiling of the new Rapida press came when a white curtain covering the entire press was raised as background music heightened the anticipation of the crowd. When the curtain dropped to display the new press, the Rapida came alive in in front of everyone. A BOPI operator pressed the button and the press was up and running at maximum speed of 18,000 sph within seconds. While the press was operating, Tom Mercier and Chris Travis, director of technology at KBA North America, presented its many unique technical features. BOPI’s new KBA Rapida 106 includes such unique automated features as the KBA ErgoTronic color control system, KBA QualiTronic (inline color control for two-sided printing in one pass), and KBA LogoTronic management system. Its KBA purpose-built HR-UV system immediately dries both sides of the sheets allowing a job to move to its next operation, such as folding or die-cutting. “The HR-UV drying feature benefits our customers by providing us with a significant increase in production efficiency,” says Mercier. “These automated features will exponentially increase our services. Our quality level will be incredible. All of our sheets will look the same. When we print signature work, the KBA inline quality control systems will ensure that all of our pages are consistent.”  

BOPI used the open house to market and demonstrate the strength of print. Matt Hamilton, Project Manager/Integrated Marketing Specialist, described the effective marketing campaign intertwining print and the internet that the firm initiated to invite attendees to the open house. First, three eye-catching direct mail pieces were designed and sent to prospective attendees one week apart. Between the first and the second direct mail piece, an email campaign went out. Next, a personalized landing page was created with the purl: www.yourname.bopiEvent.com. A link to the landing page was included in the email campaign allowing attendees to learn more about the open house as well as RSVP. The third channel they used was word-of-mouth. Through the multi-layer process, BOPI learned how many people were planning to come to the event and how many people couldn’t make it but were interested in an individual tour with their sales managers. This information allowed BOPI to better prepare for the open house; for example, with a concrete number, they were able to set up enough seats for everyone and know how much food and drink to order. The event ran smoothly and needless to say the marketing campaign was successful. “The best business relationship is an informed one,” said Jeff Fritzen, executive vice president for BOPI; as he closed his presentation he inquired to the packed open house audience, “Do you see any of these solutions working for your own company?” A resounding yes and applause followed. 

To punctuate the importance of print and BOPI’s strength in the industry, the State of Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti gave a speech to support BOPI and commended its investment in business, the community, and the state of Illinois. Other prominent attendees were Illinois State Senator Bill Brady and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. 

“Our new KBA Rapida 106 is an incredible engine of firepower for our facility,” says Mercier. “It is definitely the press of the future and will enhance our capabilitiestremendously.”

Founded in 1947 as Bloomington Offset Process, Inc., the Illinois firm began as a high-quality commercial printer. Since then, BOPI has established itself in the direct marketing field through initiatives in variable data digital printing, personalized direct mail, data services, web based commerce, collateral management and fulfillment. It serves the Midwest market including insurance, manufacturing, college and university, agricultural, hospital, financial, government, and non-profit organizations.