RPI (www.rpiprint.com), a leader in make-on-demand private label personalized photo books, greeting cards and stationery products for mass and specialty retailers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy L. Bice as vice president of operations. Bice brings nearly 20 years of engineering and international business experience in technology, innovation, supply chain management and Six Sigma operational excellence to RPI.

As vice president of operations, Bice is responsible for managing RPI’s U.S. lean manufacturing facilities, and improving the efficiencies and profitability within RPI’s operations, including infrastructure enhancements, product quality and personnel. He will report to RPI Chief Executive Officer Rick Bellamy and work to develop strategic processes that drive continuous improvements to the company’s industry leading manufacturing, design and fulfillment services.

“Randy has a proven track record for implementing lean manufacturing best practices to successfully drive growth, increase efficiencies and launch new technology platforms,” said Bellamy. “His extensive experience in operations and supply chain management will play a critical role inexpanding our innovative consumer product offerings to our valued clients worldwide.”

“I’m excited to join the management team of a company committed to driving continued innovation in the personalized consumer products industry,” said Bice. “RPI is poised for tremendous growth as it creates a more robust, stronger mass customization platform with new consumer products to benefit its leading retail and online photo publishing partners. I look forward to leading the operations team to drive greater efficiencies, product quality and improved customer delivery to further exceed customer expectations.”

Prior to joining RPI, Bice served as vice president of digital solutions at Taylor Corporation, where he led efforts to transform its digital strategies and print-on-demand capabilities. During his tenure, he introduced lean Six Sigma practices and developed multi-channel communication strategies to better serve national and international customers. His previous experience also includes key management and engineering roles at Oshkosh Corporation, Vermeer Manufacturing and PowerTeam. Bice earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical systems engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a master’s degree in business administration from Drake University. He is also an 18-year member and Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

In addition, Bice serves as an advisor with industry leaders HP, Xerox, Oce and the Digital Solutions Cooperative (Dscoop). Bice will participate in a customer panel discussion on self-publishing at the Dscoop annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The panel will focus on how business owners can develop new market strategies in custom publishing and how print service providers can gain new opportunities within custom publishing and existing markets. For more information about the Dscoop conference visit: www.Dscoop.org.