The newest member of SPC’s sales team is Jim Williams. Jim previously spent more than a decade both at Segerdahl and Banta Direct, focusing on direct mail programs. We sat with Jim and asked him a few questions about moving to SPC and his thoughts on our ever-changing industry.

SPC: What factors contributed to your decision to join SPC?

JW: SPC may be a mid-sized commercial printer, but they are not afraid to make the capital investments needed to stay ahead of the big guys. I was particularly impressed with how SPC had invested in digital print technology and offline finishing. The entire platform of inline web, sheetfed, digital web, and the bindery/lettershop to back it up had a big impact on me. Much of the work I have done in the past has transitioned to heavily versioned, lower-quantity runs. The digital web is a perfect solution for my clients.

How did you get started in the printing industry?

I got hooked at a very young age when I used to look in the windows of Republic Printing in Geneva, Illinois. The Lino operator happened to be one of my neighbors and would hand me a slug out of the open window with my name on it. I attended the vocational print program when I was a junior in high school and then attended Triton College in the Graphic Arts program. I worked as a pressman, stripper and a folder operator. Later, I attended Western State College of Colorado and majored in Business Administration and Finance. While attending, I was in a work study program and worked as a pressman and in the bindery, running anything that the college needed. It was a great experience. When I graduated, I worked at Strathmore, Brookshore, Berlin, Lehigh, Banta and then Segerdahl. This week I start at SPC and am very excited about having the opportunity to work for this great company.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the printing and direct mail marketing industry?

Direct mail is not dead. It is very much alive and well. Although there is a tight paper market and postage keeps going up, marketers are able to better target consumers with highly personalized direct mail offerings. Direct mail is still relatively inexpensive for the ROI. Radio, TV and digital marketing channels rely on the direct mail channel more than ever. As for printing, the technology changes every day to keep up with the ever-shifting market. That is why I love this business. Change is certain and if you can’t change, you close.

What do you bring to SPC?

I am a print production guy at heart. Understanding the print and finishing process has helped me offer solutions to my clients’ needs. I look forward to learning all of the unique capabilities of SPC and being able to offer them to my clients.

Is there a particular type of project that really excites you?

I enjoy the unusual projects. I have a lot of experience with unique inline formats, dimensional mail and kitting/fulfillment. I tend to work with a lot of agencies. I enjoy the agency culture and the people that work for them.

What are some of your outside interests?

My wife runs two F45 Training studios, so I have become a fitness fanatic. I try to work out everyday at 5:30 am. Being with my family is my #1 activity. I have 5 kids and 2 grandchildren living in three different states and enjoy any time we can get together. Living in North Carolina, I am two hours from the mountains and three hours from the beach. Either direction, we take full advantage of the outdoors.

Jim Williams
Strategic Accounts Executive