www.omnisystem.com
By Greg Hrinya

OMNI Systems holds a unique spot in the label and package printing industry. Despite massive growth since its inception in 1990, the company remains family-owned. Adam DeFrancesco, co-owner and CEO, founded OMNI Systems in 1990 in a spare room in his house. Thirty-four years later, the company remains a family-owned business with Adam and his wife and co-owner, Sally.

OMNI Systems currently has the distinction of being the largest privately-owned label manufacturer in the US. Providing high-quality, low-cost label solutions for the world’s largest consumer brands, OMNI prides itself on price, quality, and service. In 2023, OMNI successfully acquired and integrated ITW Labels and Honeywell Media. With these acquisitions, OMNI went from a single manufacturing facility in Mayfield Village, OH, to four manufacturing facilities in nine months, growing from 33 to 65 total presses and 144,000 to 372,000 square feet of space. In the past year, the OMNI Systems team has grown from 145 to 282 employees.

“A lean, privately-owned company like OMNI doesn’t have to contend with the complexities of private equity or large leadership teams, which contributes to our ability to provide the lowest price to our customers,” states Mike Murton, president and COO. “Since the company was founded in 1990, OMNI has always focused on long-run bulk orders for pressure sensitive secondary labels, which are predominantly blanks or multiple spot-colored labels. However, we have seen a growing market need for custom-printed pressure sensitive labels as customers look to attract consumers through more creative labels, so we met that demand through several key business decisions, including acquisitions.”

Today, the executive leadership team of Mike Murton, David Campbell, CFO, Tom Murphy, CIO, and Erik Majkrzak, vice president of operations, continue to bring DeFrancesco’s vision to life, as they run the day-to-day operations of the business. Part of that vision includes redefining the label manufacturing space.

“As the largest consumer of thermal raw materials, purchasing in bulk allows us to get the best price,” explains Murton. “As we negotiate price decreases in raw materials, we pass those cost savings on to our customers. Many customers have noted this is the first time a supplier has proactively delivered cost reductions. Ultimately, the more we can save, the more our customers can save. This ‘trickle-down savings effect’ is becoming more and more popular with today’s high price demands. Between actively addressing high costs and simplifying our supply chain with all of our operations in the US, OMNI’s customer-focused approach sets a new standard in manufacturing.”

From a technology standpoint, Mark Andy and Martin Automatic have been integral to OMNI Systems’ success. Martin Automatic splicers and turrets allow the company to change rolls and box product without stopping production, which increases efficiency and reduces lost production time. Meanwhile, OMNI Systems has relied on Mark Andy for flexo and digital hybrid presses. “Mark Andy’s technology has allowed us to offer short run, high-complexity labels to our customers, which is a unique capability in the label industry,” notes Murton.

In addition to press and converting technology, OMNI Systems has prioritized the use of data and analytics in its operations to drive further efficiencies. The company has also sought out automation where possible to improve production processes.

“We increase efficiencies through automation and our detailed supply chain planning standards, which help us maximize inventory levels to deliver exactly what our customers need when they need it,” says Murton. “Our comprehensive, data-driven inventory strategy – a unique capability in the label industry – with both raw materials and finished goods, allows us to provide excellent service and ensure availability for our customers.”

In the future, OMNI Systems is committed to further growth, with an emphasis on satisfying its employees and customers. As the company has grown, culture has been a key focal point.

“Our customers and employees are at the heart of every decision we make,” states Murton. “That’s what ultimately allows us to have the lowest prices in the industry, and we will continue to invest to further advance the price, quality, and service that our customers have come to expect from us. In the future, we are committed to organic and acquisitive growth, with the goal of becoming a $300 million company in the next five years. To reach that goal, we plan to add capabilities around high-demand areas such as RFID and sustainability. And, as always, we will continue to prioritize customers with large order needs while also investing in our ability to offer shorter, specialized runs.”