"We’re now doing the most amount of business we’ve ever done throughout the US versus just servicing the Chicago area," said Tukaiz vice president and managing director Frank Defino.

"That’s one reason why we’re adding an additional 25,000 square feet in our fulfillment, which should be completed by the end of the year. That will also enable us to knock down a few walls and expand some other areas as well."

Defino noted that Tukaiz has been able to weather the current industry-wide stagnation fairly well - in part because it has a good mix of clients who have been growing their business, but also because the family run firm has never been shy about pouring money back into the company.

One example of that earlier this year was Tukaiz becoming one of only three US printers with a Scodix1200 digital press. "We brand ourselves as a marketing services production company because we do a lot more than just print," Defino explained.

"By re-investing in equipment like the Scodix as well as in software and in finding and keeping great talent, everything else down the line - including production and services and the bottom line - all fall into place."

Defino said the company’s commercial printing division has been holding its own, adding: "One reason for that is we can print on a lot of exotic substrates like styrenes and plastics versus just paper. We’re also seeing a lot of large format and roll-fed digital flatbed inkjet work for point of purchase and point of sale for retail."

With Graph Expo taking place right in their market in early October, Defino said Tukaiz is looking forward to attending, though he doesn’t feel it’s a major business generator or branding opportunity.

"But what we will do is bring back highlights of the show to our customers," he said. "We do invest in a lot of R&D — it’s literally a division in our company — and learning about new technology at Graph Expo is part of that. That way we can then educate our customers and get them thinking about various programs."