Portland OR, February 21, 2020.- Signature Graphics and Kobalt Design Group were recently awarded the Vendor of the Year Award from one of our long-time customers Northwest Grocers (NWG). Northwest Grocers is a member-owned organization providing support services and buying power to over 80 stores in the Pacific Northwest. They give independent store owners the ability to compete on a level playing field with regional and even national chain grocers.
The award was presented by Northwest Grocer’s President Stan Trask as part of an annual meeting of member stores. Accepting the award on behalf of Signature Graphics, was President and CEO Dan Dutton, Kobalt Design Director Dave Watts, Creative Services Manager Charity Halverson, and Key Account Manager Billie Brooks.
When asked to name one of the contributing factors leading to the award, President Stan Trask said, “Kobalt Design and Signature Graphics helped Northwest Grocers completely revamp our advertising system and how we go to market.”
The award was the culmination of an initiative implemented in the summer of 2019 where NWG approached Kobalt with the task of greatly increasing the number of their weekly ad circular design formats. They needed to expand from utilizing products from just one wholesale supplier to three. “This was a huge undertaking and caused us to have to rethink our entire design and production process”, said Dave Watts. “The expansion exponentially increased the number of versions and offerings we were working with but gave store owners the ability to buy and advertise products from three unique suppliers. This is helping them stay competitive in the marketplace.” Watts said.
The new offering not only impacted the design side of the business but also required further flexibility from the press team at Signature. The addition of all the extra versions and the much shorter print runs required a new focus on efficiency and productivity for the press and logistics crew.
In response to the award, President and CEO Dan Dutton responded, “We appreciate that Northwest Grocers and your members are operating in very a competitive marketplace, and we remain committed to doing everything in our power to help you succeed. We are all honored to receive this award…it truly means a lot to everyone at Signature/Kobalt. Once again, on behalf of all of us, thank you for this award, and thank you for your business.
About Signature Graphics
Signature Graphics is a full-service commercial printer specializing in heat-set and cold-set web printing. With over 160 employees, they offer a full complement of bindery, mailing, graphic design and logistics services. Through their subsidiary, Mailbox Merchants, they print and distribute monthly targeted direct mail advertising to over 2.1 million households in six western states. Subsidiary, Kobalt Design Group, functions as an in-house design agency with a complete suite of graphic design services. Established in 1986, the company is privately held and maintains corporate offices in Portland Oregon. For additional information visit www.signature-graphics.com
Media Contact:
Greg Belair
Director of Marketing
(503) 345-1180 Fax: (503) 256-3450
15040 NE Mason St. Portland, OR 97230
