I’m often asked how we choose which label businesses to include in our annual Companies to Watch feature. It’s a good question, because it’s not an exact science. Several of L&NW’s sister publications here at Rodman Media publish a similarly titled feature called Top Companies Report, however, these articles are quite different from Companies to Watch, as they are rankings within their respective industries, and are inclusive of a company’s reported earnings.

Companies to Watch sets itself apart because it is not a ranking of any kind. In fact, the label businesses we feature can range from very small – just a handful of employees pulling in modest annual sales – to large, multi-site organizations with several hundred employees.

There are several possible answers to the question “What makes a label company one to watch?” Here are a few possibilities:
A rebranding initiative: If a label business changes its name, logo and announces a new business philosophy or motto, it usually coincides with the desire to either break away from a perceived image or reputation, or state to the industry, customers and prospects that it’s relevant, and doing things differently.

A press acquisition: Any time a label company acquires a new flexo or digital press, it is a noteworthy occasion. A new press from one of the industry’s well-known, leading manufacturers is a significant investment, often with a lot of zeros written on that check. Press purchases not only signify a company has money to spend, but also that it feels it has the capacity to achieve the ROI it needs to justify such an expense. A new press can also signal a converter’s desire to enter new markets, perhaps sectors where their previous technology wasn’t capable of meeting certain quality requirements. Or in the case of digital, it can send the message “We are fully equipped to print short run, variable data jobs.”

M&A activity: Forget about buying a press – if a company buys an entire business, it speaks for itself that the company is worth watching. The buying company has added real estate, equipment and customers, and sometimes the acquisition puts the buyer in entirely new markets. And quite often one acquisition is indicative that there are more to follow.

These are just a few examples. The L&NW Companies to Watch criteria is far and wide, and can revolve around new personnel, workplace culture, Lean Manufacturing, and anything else that could lead a business down a path of success and innovation. In this year’s feature, we profile companies that touch on all of the above.

Putting together Companies to Watch is enjoyable, but L&NW’s editors can’t do it all. In the dynamic and growing label industry, it’s easy to find companies that fit the bill. However, it can be a challenge finding label businesses willing to share with their peers what’s new, exciting, and why they’re worth watching.




Steve Katz, Editor
[email protected]
Twitter: @LabelSteve