April 15, 2004 -- Southern Maryland Printing & Graphics, Clinton, Maryland, RiverCity Print and Imaging, Inc., Little Rock, AR, and Summit Print & Mail, Lockport, NY, received the Superior Performance In Print Shop Management award for 2003 from the Crouser Professional Performance Alliance at the annual owner’s conference in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The Alliance presents this, its highest award, to printing companies who maintain high standards of operational performance as measured by financial strength, profitability, and growth. The companies’ performance ranks them in the top five percent of all printing companies in North America. “Dick and Nancy Cherry, Southern Maryland Printing & Graphics, became the only company who has maintained this honor for four consecutive years in the nineteen year history of our program,” said Tom Crouser, Alliance president. “Scott and Jane Levine, RiverCity Print and Imaging, Inc. achieved this honor for their third consecutive year. John Butcher, Summit Print & Mail, Lockport, NY, was honored with the Superior Performance award for the first time.” “The Alliance sets the bar high for our performance awards and these three companies exceeded those goals,” said Crouser. “They are examples of how a family-based business can prosper in times of increased commoditization from big box retailers by focusing on principles and practices geared to exceptional customer service. They truly transcend what customers want and go to the heart of what customers need.” The Crouser Professional Performance Alliance is an organization of independently owned family-based businesses that strive for professionalism and performance among small business that commonly lack highly developed systems and leadership. Companies from throughout North America participate in the program. Southern Maryland Printing & Graphics and RiverCity Print and Imaging, Inc., Little Rock, AR are also participants in the prestigious Certified Printers International designation. This CPrint designation is available only to printers who demonstrate exceptional quality and service by maintaining standards in operations, training, equipment and software as well as worker benefits and working conditions. This program requires annual onsite recertification as well as participation in continuing educational programs. To find out more about the Alliance, call 304-965-7100 or visit the Alliance web site at www.crouser.com.