Interprint launches major expansion

By Anthony FydenPrint Story | Email Story
During a celebration of the launching of Interprint Inc.'s $23 million expansion Wednesday, employees listen to company officials praise them for their hard work and dedication. (Photo By Anthony Fyden)
PITTSFIELD — Strains of “Anchors Away” greeted visitors to Interprint Inc. on Pecks Road Wednesday afternoon, as company executives and employees, city officials and business leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of the company’s $23 million expansion project. Ebullient CEO William Hines described the expansion as “the single largest private investment in new plant construction” in the city’s history. He added that the expansion also represents one of the largest investments in expansion ever in the print-laminate industry. “This is a milestone in our industry,” Hines said. New building construction on a 71-acre parcel of land off Route 41 in Pittsfield is set to begin in May, with construction of the 135,000-square-foot facility targeted for completion next spring. The new facility and projected sales are expected to lead to a workforce expansion of about 25 percent over two years, Hines said. The company currently employs 125. A contingent of city officials, including Mayor James Ruberto, former Mayor Gerald Doyle Jr. and others helped celebrate the launching of the project. Ruberto described Interprint and the expansion project as a prototype for reviving the region’s manufacturing base. “Seldom does a community find itself the beneficiary of such a firm,” he said. The mayor, a former plastics industry executive, said Interprint’s standard of excellence is recognized throughout the industry. “I’ve been in the plastics business for more years than I care to remember, and I can tell you that this is the finest plastics facility I’ve ever been in,” he said. The celebration took place in the shadows of Interprint’s massive press machines, which were atypically quiet, shut down for the event. Gathered at the back of the crowd, dressed in blue work uniforms, were many of Interprint’s employees. Several times during the event, they were singled out for praise. “I do want to applaud you,” Ruberto said to them. “You’re really what Pittsfield has to have to grow: a good, dedicated, hard-working labor force.” Many of the employees appeared to enjoy the proceedings, discussing the pending move and growth opportunities among themselves and visitors. Tom Corneiller stood with some friends along one side of the room, noting with pride that he had been the third employee hired when Interprint was established in Pittsfield in 1987. Plans for the Route 41 expansion were first announced in 2002, when the city sold the parcel of land to Interprint. The city’s contribution included expanding sewer and water service to the area in anticipation of construction, and Interprint quickly began preliminary work at the site. But the project stalled as the economy faltered, and Interprint had announced that the project was on hold. In retrospect, Hines said, the decision to wait was prudent, allowing the company to maintain a firm footing as the economy recovered before moving forward. “Waiting was a sound strategic decision, since the company was able to invest in important research-development activities to support new product growth,” he said. “Now, with an expanding economy, we will be able to use those expenditures to drive new product sales.” He said he was confident the economy has rebounded, noting that Interprint has recently enjoyed a 10-percent increase in sales. “It was really a game of patience,” he said. “We kept feeling the market would come back, which would produce more opportunities if we had the right mix of new products and designs.” The Route 41 site was selected over several other possibilities, Hines said, primarily because it offered room to grow, even beyond this current expansion phase. “We needed to know we would not be looking for another new site five, 10 or even 50 years from now.” The new facility, designed by Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering of Albany, N.Y., will initially house six production printing machines - each about the size of a city bus — laminated presses and other technical support equipment. The first floor will also include a customer sales and service area. The building’s entire second floor will house administration and operations offices. Overall, the facility’s first phase will feature 115,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 20,000 square feet of office space on two floors. Hines stressed that the complex would create a “park-like” look, with plans calling for a well-manicured landscaping plan and contemporary building exterior. He said when the transfer is complete in about two years, the Pecks Road property would be leased or sold. He added that the company would take the interests of the city to heart in the transaction, assuring those in attendance that “this will always be a showcase site.” Interprint, which produces designs used for the decorative laminating industry, has grown since 1987 to become the industry’s market-share leader in North America. To date, Interprint’s investment in the plant, including the current expansion project, totals more than $60 million. Interprint is a wholly owned subsidiary of Interprint International of Arnsberg, Germany, which also has plants in Germany, Malaysia, Poland, Italy and China. Plans are underway for a new facility in Russia. Hines has been a vocal booster for business in Pittsfield and Berkshire County and has taken leadership roles with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. He recently agreed to lead a new business marketing effort for Pittsfield called “Project Jobs.” One of Project Jobs’ primary slogans dominates a wall in Interprint’s production room: “Grow in Pittsfield.”
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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