March 2007


The Ward/Kraft Legacy

Important then...Important now

Before email and fax we used the telephone and memorandums, however Mr. Harold Kraft also did business with his plane! This is how the Ward/Kraft Legacy came about!

It was a Thursday in the early 80's and Mr. Kraft was in Ohio visiting the Fredericktown plant when he received a call from Mr. Tom Bilyeu with Tabco Business Forms, Inc. (a Terra Haute, Indiana distributor). Mr. Bilyeu was in need of an exact repeat of a sensitive product for his customer (a computer service bureau who was imprinting tax forms for a local municipality) who had been given erroneous information to imprint on the forms. By law the forms had to be in the mail that weekend, and they needed them by Friday to have them processed and in the mail on time. Mr. Kraft consulted with his customer service and production team, made the decision to immediately have the job produced and promptly (and personally) delivered it to Terra Haute the next morning on his flight back to Ward/Kraft's corporate headquarters in Kansas. From this point on the relationship and legacy between Ward/Kraft and Tabco was etched in stone.

To show his thanks and appreciation, Mr. Bilyeu had a caricature of Mr. Kraft and his plane created, which is proudly displayed in all divisions of Ward/Kraft, Inc.

Almost 25 years later, another opportunity came about for both Tabco and Ward/Kraft to work together to provide a timely delivery of product for one Tabco's clients. Kris Bilyeu, Vice President and one of Tom's two sons involved with Tabco contacted Amy Clark, Office Manager of the Ward/Kraft Ohio Sales Team, about a laminated card and key fob combination that needed turned quickly. The order came in (normally a 6 week production time in the industry), and 10 production days later, Troy Duprey, General Manager of Ward/Kraft's Commercial division, loaded up the Ward/Kraft plane and personally delivered more than 35,000 printed, laminated, die cut and trimmed cards. Tom Bilyeu, his two sons, Brad and Kris, and grandson Mark, all had a hand in unloading the aircraft on the tarmac at the Terra Haute International Airport.

The end result was another very happy Tabco client, and the satisfaction of the Tabco and Ward/Kraft teams knowing that even after more than 25 years of changing environments in the industry...some things do not change...The Ward/Kraft Legacy lives on.


Ward/Kraft Announces Key Executive Promotions

Ward/Kraft, Inc. recently announced two key promotions within the company. "We are excited about and appreciate the commitment of those promoted," states Roger Kraft, Owner and CEO.

Michael Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President, has been appointed President over Ward/Kraft, Inc. and all the Kraft family-owned companies. Del Chiaro's success, loyalty and commitment to Ward/Kraft are unparalleled. Throughout Del Chiaro's 10 years with the company, he has started many new endeavors successfully, as well as led the entire company to record setting annual achievements. Del Chiaro will continue to strengthen WK's Legacy of Customer Service, Innovation, Integrity, and Industry Leadership.

Mark Tucker, VP/General Manager of the LongRun Labels division was promoted to Senior Vice President of Manufacturing. Tucker, who is a 27 year member of Ward/Kraft, Inc., has been a member of the Ward/Kraft management team since 1985. He will be responsible for the successful operation of Ward/Kraft's five different manufacturing divisions. Tucker will work to ensure that Ward/Kraft, Inc. continues as an industry leader in innovation and customer service.

"These two promotions give us depth, strength and stability. I look forward to our Bright Future," states Roger Kraft, Owner & CEO.


Pressure Seal

Pressure Seal is a replacement for many envelope mailing systems. You can create an outgoing envelope, form and return envelope all from one document. you can customize the entire form or take our stock product straight from the shelf.

  • Windows ranging from our patented ViewTech to glassine
  • Can be combined with integrated products
  • Variety of sizes/folds for both custom and stock
  • Custom glue patterns available
  • Numerous stock styles with stock pricing

Follow this link for more information and to request your complimentary samples, or call us toll free at 800-821-4021, ext. 4101 today.


Why Distributors Buy From Ward/Kraft

Our CSR's and Sales Representatives receive calls and letters daily from our distributors throughout the nation expressing their happiness with Ward/Kraft's unparalleled service, relationships, products, features, and solutions. Below you will find a letter answering "Why buy from Ward/Kraft?"

-Michael Del Chiaro, President

Dear Ward/Kraft,

I wish to recognize Ward/Kraft, WK Commercial and it's team members, especially Carrie Hoesli and Paula Duling. A few weeks ago I was on vacation. A client notified me of an urgent request; a short run label order was needed in a very short time, and had to be shipped internationally. Being far away from my office, I really needed a vendor I could trust to handle this. Ward/Kraft was first to come to mind.

Carrie was the first to assure me that it COULD be done. This put my mind at ease. Moments later, pricing was emailed to me by Paula. There was only one more challenge. Could the die be ready and delivered in two days. All I could do was wait, but I knew Ward/Kraft would come through. Sure enough, the die arrived, the labels were completed and the shipment went out on time.

Rush orders are stressful. Trying to manage a rush order while being away from the office is even more stressful. Having a vendor you can trust with an important order and not have to micro-manage is priceless.

Thank you Carrie, for that reassuring phone call. Thank you Paula, for closely monitoring this order the whole way through, and thank you Ward/Kraft for being the strong reliable vendor that you are.

Mark Holm
President
Indigo Communications

Have a story you would like to share with us? Please email it to mktlead@wardkraft.com


You're Invited to a Complimentary
Web Seminar

WK Live is Ward/Kraft's exciting Interactive Online Training, Sales and Service Tool. Join a session and enjoy the advantages of technology. Communicate directly with our expert document specialists. Log on to the Internet and participate as they offer product presentations, share applications and participate in team sales calls. Long distance conferencing will never be the same again.

Ward/Kraft will be hosting the following WK Live presentations.

Upcoming WK Live Presentations
Digital and Commercial Print March 12 & 26
Distribution Solutions March 16, 23 & 30
Laser Card Family March 13 & 21
Plastic Cards March 13 & 21
Presentation Folders March 12 & 26

To view our schedule, or to sign up for a WK Live presentation, please visit our Schedule of Events page.


WK On Site...Over 700 On Sites & Over 6000 Attendees Growing!

The Ward/Kraft On Site team travels the country each week informing distributors about the latest technologies, products and markets. We provide education and tools to help you penetrate your accounts and acquire new customers. The two-hour session focuses on the latest industry trends and new topics are introduced every six months.

Upcoming On Site Dates and Locations
March 13 Albuquerque, NM
March 13 Phoenix, AZ
March 15 Philadelphia, PA
March 19 Ft Lauderdale, FL
March 19 Orlando, FL
March 20 Ft Pierce, FL
March 20 Miami, FL
March 22 Detroit, MI
March 22 Howell, MI
March 22 Lansing, MI
March 27 Davenport, IA

Visit our Schedule of Events calendar to sign up today! If you would like additional information, please email our On Site Coordinator.

Click here to see what distributors are saying about our WK On Site program.


In this Issue:

Add-a-Label™
Commercial Print
DriTac™ Cards
New Promotions
Vertical Markets
Why Buy from WK
WK Legacy
WK Live
WK On Site


Commercial Print

Ward/Kraft has invested in the most up-to-date technology to give you the ultimate in photo quality printing with quick turn times. Proofs on our Indigo 3050 are actual printed copy from the Indigo. Proofs for commercial work printed on our Ryobi and Karat are printed on an Epson 7600 proofing system. We look forward to helping you on your next commercial/digital project!

Follow this link for more information and to request your complimentary samples, or call us toll free at 800-821-4021, ext. 4105 today.

DriTac™ Cards

DriTac™ Card is a true plastic card that can be affixed in any position and up to 6 cards on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet. It is heat, moisture and tear resistant. It provides excellent toner adhesion, the front of the card is laser printable, and it can be quickly and easily removed. DriTac™ Cards answer all of your needs when it comes to a laser compatible plastic card.

Follow this link for more information and to request your complimentary samples, or call us toll free at 800-821-4021, ext. 4102 today.

Add-a-Label™

Add-a-Label™ is Ward/Kraft's terminology for labels that are applied to forms. Also known as affixed labels, this is one of the oldest and most widely recognized methods of combining labels and forms. Ward/Kraft offers unmatched flexibility in this product line. We can add nearly any type of label to any part of a form in a multitude of sizes and quantities.

Follow this link for more information and to request your complimentary samples, or call us toll free at 800-821-4021, ext. 4101 today.

Vertical Markets

Market Specific Sample Kits are now available.

Healthcare
Hospitality
Educational
Insurance
Financial
Government
Direct Mail
Commercial
Manufacturing
Distribution

Follow this link to request yours today!


Past Issues:

December 2006
October 2006
September 2006 Special Edition
June 2006
April 2006

View all past issues.

 

 

 


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Ward/Kraft, Inc. - 2401 Cooper Street - Fort Scott, KS 66701