Business Spotlight: Ample Industries Inc.

Ample Industries Inc., a Nixa-based label maker, started out like many American companies do: in a garage. In 1968, President and CEO David Menzies would sell 99-cent labels to grocery stores in the daytime and print them at home overnight.

"Back then, the artwork was very basic," said Natalie Menzies-Spradlin, the CEO's daughter who has worked with her father for 14 years. "The image had to be drawn, go through paste-up and printing. It was a very involved process."

Today, Ample Industries uses high-tech equipment to bring professional labels to the masses. In October, the company purchased a $500,000 Jetrion digital printer that extends Ample's print-run range.

"Now, we can make orders as few as 200, where in the past you would have been penalized for such short amounts. You had to order 1,000 to make it cost-effective," said Menzies-Spradlin, who is the office and human resources manager at the 1101 Eagle Crest Drive headquarters. "We are so excited about the future of printing."

Scented candle makers that need a few labels for 20 fragrances and private-label barbecue sauce companies are using the service. "They might not have a lot of money to spend on labels, but they want something that looks great," Menzies-Spradlin noted.

Clients can supply their own artwork, or they can work with Ample's four designers to create a custom look. Askinosie Chocolate, Candy House and Churchill Coffee are a few of the local companies that rely on Ample Industries for label printing.

"We have found their products to be first rate and their level of service is equally helpful on any size project," said Travis Marshall, marketing manager for KO Manufacturing, which has worked with Ample Industries for more than 15 years.

For cleaning products maker KO Manufacturing, Ample prints single-custom labels that are used in presentations to potential customers and large-volume labels that are placed on items KO produces for big box retailers.

Ample also works with national and regional food and beverage producers who need labels immediately after the food is produced. "We have been known to drive all night to deliver labels to a customer when they need it, like to dairies," Menzies-Spradlin said. "They are counting on us to get their products out the door."

Ample's Roland digital printer speeds up the time and labor involved in label making. The machine combines four-color printing with white ink and precision cutting and can print pieces up to 52.5 inches wide. The solvent-based ink creates labels, signs and banners that can be used indoors or outside. The machine prints short-run labels, backlit sign faces, magnetic signs, static clings and graphics for trade shows, vehicles, floors and windows.

"The digital press is still new, so there were some painful stepping stones getting it installed and printing correctly, but we worked to overcome that," Menzies-Spradlin said.

Ample Industries also has eight flexographic presses spanning a range of widths and color capacities. The presses have the capacity to handle runs ranging from a few hundred labels to several million. The company stocks hundreds of different papers and adhesives, so companies needing specialized labels can get them printed quickly.

Flexography is an involved process for printing. In simple terms, an image is prepared and captured for printing using a camera, scanner or computer. A plate is then created with a computer-guided laser that etches the image onto the printing plate. The labels are then printed and prepared for shipment.

While label printing makes up 95 percent of Ample's business, the company also prints a variety of nonadhesive products, such as die-cut sleeves, tags, inserts and blister boards.

Custom-labeled water bottles have become flourishing business. Churches, schools, ad agencies, stores and banks print labels for personalized water bottles as a way to market their names or use as giveaways.

"We'll work with any bottler to create something special for our clients," Menzies-Spradlin said.[[In-content Ad]]