From so simple a beginning. Avondale, Ariz.’s AZ Pro Signs and Graphics, based just outside Phoenix, started nine years ago with a 21-inch plotter—and has seen no less than double-digit growth every year, even during the recession years. “We’re up 22% this year so far,” says Chris Prenovost, co-founder of AZ Pro. What does he see as the secret to their success? “Keeping our customers happy,” he says. Can it be as simple as that? “They bring us a lot of work, and a lot of referrals.” Indeed, AZ Pro does no outbound sales or active marketing or promotion; virtually all of its work comes via word of mouth. “Our Web site is the only advertising we have.” But then when your printing bailiwick is vehicle wraps and fleet graphics, the open highway is your advertising space.

The company was founded in 2004 by Chris Prenovost and his brother Jason. The earliest market served by AZ Pro Signs was the trucking industry, the company producing vinyl graphics and fleet lettering for trucks and trailers. Over the years, it has remained one of the company’s major niches. AZ Pro quickly expanded into general signage, vinyl banners, and other materials for a wide range of clients that today includes not only trucking and transport, but also retail and restaurants, homes and hotels, and generally companies across the board, the vast majority based in the Phoenix metro area.

AZ Pro’s dramatic growth has not only led to the expansion of the company’ equipment roster—an HP Latex 3000 and a UV-based HP Scitex FB7600 industrial press are two recent acquisitions—but also its staff, which has grown to 54 employees. The growth has also changed the division of labor in the company. “We’ve become very compartmentalized,” says Prenovost. “Our designers only design, our printers only print. When we only had 10,15 people working for us, everyone wore all hats. But as we grew bigger and bigger and brought on more jobs, that’s just not possible, and it’s not efficient. We have more people who are specialized in what they do.”