Publishers Printing Company100 Frank E. Simon Avenue, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165

1958—2008

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PrefaceGrowing up in Bullitt County, I knew Publishers Printing Company was special long before I came to work here four years ago. I’ve always respected and admired the Simon family and have known of the contributions the company and its employees made to the community. Even so, when the Marketing Department was assigned the task of creating a book to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Shepherdsville Plant, I don’t think any of us realized the richness of the history we were about to learn.

Thousands of people have been employed by Publishers Printing Company over the last 50 years. It would be impossible to include everyone’s name or face, but we hope each employee, retiree, and their families realize how important they are to the Simon family and this company, and that they’ve all contributed to something special. Because of its people, this company is truly unique in its passion, generosity, ingenuity, fearlessness, strength, and integrity.

Trying to compile a 50-year story of celebrations, growth, adversity, and people is no small task. We greatly appreciate the contributions of: Jim Haberman, Joe Bernzweig, Paul Capito, Tom Kelly, Karen Kerman, Jodi Colwell, and Larry Blanton. Perry Cook and his team deserve a huge thanks, as well, for scanning thousands of photos over the last six months.

Thank you also to Elizabeth Simon-Thomas, Libbye Montgomery, Franny Aprile, Nick Simon, and Michael Simon for your thoughtfulness and honesty in helping us tell the story of Publishers Printing Company.

And, finally, thank you to Frank E. Simon, for bringing your vision to Bullitt County and leaving so much of yourself here with us.

Amanda Lee Bledsoe, Marketing Director

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“It is intended here to remind each employee that hundreds of people have left something of themselves with Publishers Printing Company…”

-James C. Haberman,in his foreword of the 1966 book

commemorating 100 years of company history.

“He was a man of vision like I’d never known.”

Elizabeth Simon-Thomas

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“New Industry Seems Assured for Bullitt County”-The Pioneer News

May 24, 1957

The future site of Shepherdsville plant, 1957.

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“New Industry Seems Assured For Bullitt County, Chamber Announces”That was the article heading in the Friday, May 24, 1957 issue of The

Pioneer News. In that article, Frank Simon was quoted as saying, “I expect no tax concessions, nor moratorium, nor special treatment for our firm. We intend to share our portion of the local tax responsibilities and help local groups to improve our new home community.”

With only 50 employees, Publishers Printing Company opened for business in Shepherdsville just one year after that article printed. June 1958 marks the official anniversary date of the company’s move to

Bullitt County. Who would predict that in just 50 years, the number of employees would grow in size by nearly 40 times, and the company’s growth and expansion would amount to what it is today?

Withstanding floods, train derailments, economic hardships, and more, Publishers Printing Company has flourished because of good leadership, hard workers, and family values.

Here’s a look back at the past 50 years since Publishers Printing Company first called Shepherdsville home.

Introduction

The future site of Shepherdsville plant, 1957.

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For most companies, 50 years represents more than a lifetime. For Publishers Printing, 50 years make up just one chapter in a story that spans several cities, five generations, and thousands of employees. This chapter, these 50 years in Shepherdsville, are essential to the company being what it is today.

Frank E. Simon’s decision to move his family’s company to Bullitt County was brought on by necessity; his land in downtown Louisville was taken over to build an Interstate. Instead of doing the easy, obvious

thing and shifting his operations from the building at First and Chestnut a few blocks away, Frank did what Frank always did. He took this as an opportunity to grow the business, to start over, to make a giant step toward success.

Elizabeth Simon-Thomas recalls her late husband’s forethought: “He was a man of vision like I’d never known.” She says the company was “doing alright” in its Louisville location, but not as well as Frank thought it should. So when the time came to move, he considered

Prologue

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Shelbyville and Shepherdsville. Mr. Simon decided on a plot of land in Shepherdsville that was near the new Interstate, near the railroad tracks, and above the flood plane. Though his wife was skeptical of his decision to buy outside of Jefferson County, she recalls, “He said, ‘I like the people, I think they’ll be good to work with.’ He was so proud of it.”

That the quality of staff influenced his

decision comes as no surprise to anyone who knew Frank Simon. He realized that the declining farming community in Shepherdsville would produce plenty of skilled, hard-working employees that possessed values, dedication, and integrity.

Even as small children, Frank’s sons, Nicholas X. and Michael J., were aware that the people at Publishers Printing were a special group.

Nick (top) and Michael Simon.>>

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“We were received very warmly by the staff out here as kids,” Michael says. “They kind of took us under their wing…watching us and making sure we were good and not getting into too much trouble.”

The Simon boys spent their early days at Publishers Printing Company pulling negatives off of flats…and, according to their mother, racing each other up and down the hall in the wheeled office chairs. “We learned a lot, it was a learning experience, clearly,” says Michael. “And in the afternoons we would get done with first shift, I think at 3 or 3:30. Of course, Dad hung out until 5:30 or 6, so we would go into his office and, more often than not, I think we napped on his couch.”

Frank E. Simon was the oldest son of Alfred J. Simon, who continued to participate in the daily operations of the business well into his later years. Nick says he remembers visiting his grandfather Alfred, who joined the company in 1910. “He stopped coming out here in ’69 or ’70, he was in his ’80s,” Nick recalls. Frank joined his father at the company in 1946, after he’d returned from World War II, where he’d served as a pilot.

Libbye Montgomery, Frank and Elizabeth’s first-born, admires her father’s business savvy, but credits her mother with the survival of the company: “He wanted to be a career military pilot, move to San Diego,” Libbye says of her father. But Elizabeth didn’t want to leave her mother and the town where she grew up, so he stayed in Kentucky and went to work for the family business.

Elizabeth was also the entertainer of customers in the 1950s and ‘60s, preparing dinner for clients when they were in town and sending country hams at Christmas. But when asked what made the company what it is

today, her answer is simple: “I’d say the birth of Frank!”She says Frank was a happy person who didn’t waste anything. “He

could get things done,” says Mrs. Simon. “He thought it didn’t do any good to worry, there’s got to be a good way to fix [your problem].” Libbye and her sister, Franny Aprile, would visit the Chestnut Street plant with their father. Franny recalls the darkness of the building and the smell of ink. Libbye remembers that her father, who passed away in 1990, paid the tolls on I-65 when he came to work each day in Shepherdsville, and that he would bring home stacks of magazines to do the billing himself.

“He was so down to earth,” Libbye says. Frank Simon is also remembered as a detail person who knew everyone by name.

“I think his generosity set a tone for how the employees interact with each other and work together,” says Libbye. He valued loyalty and was a man of integrity. In fact, when the company received risqué content from Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, Frank refused to produce it.

He created a lasting company atmosphere of working together, tightening the belt when need be, and of excellent customer service, something his sons picked up from early visits to the plant.

Now President and Executive Vice-President of the company, Nick and Michael remember the long rides in their father’s Cadillac, the concrete building with a concrete floor, and the odors of ink and chemicals used in the manufacturing processes.

“They had a bus bring people out here at one time,” Nick says. “And they had a cook here to cook up lunches.”

The sights, sounds, and sense of adventure certainly left an impression >>

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on Nick and Michael. “But I distinctly recall the people,” Michael says. “It was always a pleasurable event primarily because the people were so friendly. It was a small plant compared to what we have today. One could get around the whole thing pretty easy…you probably knew everybody at the time.”

Nick agrees that the prosperity of the company has been fostered by the government and the people of Bullitt County. “They just have some great people here,” he says. “A lot of the people working for us are third generation, their grandparents worked for us in those 50 years [since the Shepherdsville plant opened].”

Libbye said she’s proud of her younger brothers for carrying on the family values, and that Nick’s managerial skills and Michael’s salesmanship have contributed to the success that Publishers Printing appreciates today.

“They should be credited; they were so young taking on that responsibility,” Libbye says.

Michael says he asked his father one time for his secret to success: “He said it’s the ten thousand little things you do right. So I don’t know that there is one thing or two or three things so much as it’s clearly you

conduct yourself with the utmost integrity and you treat people fairly and honestly…it still echoes through the halls here. And just following the golden rule when it comes to both your employees and your clients; you treat people like you think they should be treated, like you would want to be treated.”

The philosophy has served the Simons well in Bullitt County, where the company has thrived and is the largest employer.

“We’ve been in Bullitt County 50 years, and it’s been great,” Nick says. “We came out here from Louisville in ’58 with about 40 employees, I believe, and now we have 900 in Shepherdsville and about 900 in Lebanon Junction. I just think it’s a great place to do business.”

“I remember in the ’70s and early ’80s, my father was competing against guys all the same size, other small family businesses. The big printers didn’t get involved in 50,000-run magazines, and now they are. So it’s a little different,” says Nick. “But we’ve established ourselves, we’re big enough to compete, and I feel good about the future. Especially the 10-percent market share. We are the largest family business still in magazine printing, and we feel real good about the future.”

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Nick Simon with his father, Frank, and mother, Elizabeth, at his graduation from Northwestern University.

The Simon children: Libbye, Franny, Michael, and Nick.

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Nicholas SimonPresident 1866-1880

John E. SimonPresident 1880-1914

Frank X. SimonPresident 1914-1925

Alfred J. SimonPresident 1925-1954

Frank E. SimonPresident 1954-1990

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The story of Publishers Printing Company is one that spans more than 140 years, with seven family members who all took lead from the ones who came before them.

When Nicholas Simon returned from war in 1866, he felt the need for a more challenging trade than his previous job as a cobbler. So he purchased an interest in a newly formed German newspaper in Louisville, Ky., known as “The Printing Rooms of Nicholas Simon”. This is how the story of Publishers Printing Company first begins.

We can go back even further to 1846 when Nicholas Simon began his voyage to America from his native Germany; a voyage that took over two months to complete by boat. I guess you could say the company really started here. By a man with a vision, with a drive, and with the forethought to pass on those traits to the ones who followed.

For over 90 years the company remained in Louisville, with the second- and third-generation Simon families continuing what each one prior had established. Within those 90 years, the company succeeded

Company History

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while many others failed. When it was founded in 1866, there were only 36 states in the country. It survived wars, The Great Depression, floods, and bank holidays.

Each generation left its own mark of history on the company. Second-generation owners John E. and Frank X. changed the name to The Glaubensbote Publishing Company, and built an ice plant in Louisville. Third-generation owner Alfred J. had the name changed to Publishers Printing Company, and drew the company logo that is still used today.

The fourth generation begins much like the ones before it. Frank E. Simon was born in 1922 and joined the company in 1946 when

the building was located on First and Chestnut Streets in downtown Louisville. This time, however, the man in charge was someone whose character, vision, and drive helped the company emerge as it never had before. Frank began shifting the focus more on national magazines and away from commercial printing. When the company was forced to move locations in the late ’50s, Frank saw potential in a small farming town in Shepherdsville, Ky., and knew the people of this small town could help bring success to his business.

Now in its fifth generation, the story of Publishers Printing may have started more than a century ago, but it’s far from over.

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Nicholas X. SimonPresident 1990-Present

Michael J.SimonExecutive Vice-President

1990-Present

“The family, the tradition, is really important to me. Our blood line in printing means a lot.”

-Nick SimonPrinting Impressions Magazine

September 2003

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Chestnut Street, Louisville, KentuckyHome of Publishers Printing Company 1923-1958

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Chestnut Street, Louisville, KentuckyHome of Publishers Printing Company 1923-1958

Fifties & Sixties

During the 1950s and 1960s, the company had just begun operations in its new Shepherdsville facility. With seven magazines on the scheduling board, Publishers Printing Company was starting its 50-year journey to what is now a very successful printing operation.

Although the flood wreaked havoc on the city, Publishers Printing was unaffected and continued to grow. Within the first decade a building addition to the plant was completed, and several equipment purchases were made as well. When Alfred J. Simon retired in 1969, the transition from letterpress to sheetfed offset had begun.

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Publishers Printing Company opened its doors for business at the new 33,000 square foot Shepherdsville location. There were nearly 50 employees, seven monthly magazine customers, and annual sales of about $300,000.

1958

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Construction of the new Shepherdsville plant, 1958.

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“I expect no tax concessions, nor moratorium, nor special treatment for our firm. We intend to share our portion of the local tax responsibilities and help local groups to improve our new home community.”

-Frank E. SimonMay 1957

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The new Shepherdsville plant, 1958.

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Publishers Printing Employee Picnic, 1960.

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Typesetting Department

1960

Frank E. Simon’s first and only attempt at book publishing was 1960’s The Conscience of a Conservative. Barry Goldwater was a U.S. Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate in 1964, and Frank produced the book under the name Victor Publishing Company.

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1961

A flood in the city forced employees to park outside town and walk the railroad tracks to work. Magazines were put into sacks and taken by boat to the I-65 exit where they met post office trucks.

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1961

Frank traveled all over in his plane to visit customers and prospects. Because he was consistently bringing in new business, he created Publishers Press, the sales and marketing arm of Publishers Printing Company.

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1965

A building addition of 15,000 square feet was made.

1966

Equipment additions included a Friden tape editor, a Meihle two-color, sheetfed offset press, an Elektron Mixer linotype machine, a Baumfolder, and a Polar cutting machine.

1969

Alfred J. retired.

Publishers Printing Company began the transition from letterpress to sheetfed offset.

The first duplicator offset press used to backup furnished inserts was purchased. Most inserts were on a heavy enamel paper stock, so the customers wanted to print four-color pages on that stock. The duplicator presses printed only one color at a time, so the four-color pages went through the press four times.

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Scheduling

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Tradition

When customs and beliefs are passed on from generation to generation, traditions are established. The customs, values, and beliefs that began at Publishers Printing Company over 140 years ago have been passed on as tradition today. From nearly 50 employees in 1958 to over 1,800 today, the fifth-generation company has thrived by building a reputation based around family values, hard work, and continued tradition.

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Seventies

Publishers Printing was well on its way to becoming a success. In 1971, Publishers established a managers goal-setting program which was the start of real progress in professional management for the company. During this time the last letterpress form was printed, and the first web press was purchased.

More obstacles found their way to Publishers in the ’70s. The train wreck in 1977 demolished a new four-color web press, presenting yet another stumbling block for the company. For five months, presses were leased from Gateway and Gibbs-Inman, while press crews, paper, plates, and signature pickup were scheduled for three pressrooms.

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1971

Publishers printed the last letterpress form.

Frank bought the first web press: a Hess & Barker. Wayne Brown was the only employee at that time who had experience running web presses.

A managers goal-setting program was started. Every afternoon at 4, all managers met to discuss their long- and short-range goals.

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1972

The company bought the Computer Graphics typesetting operation.

1973

Publishers Printing Company installed its first heatset web.

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“It’s been a great place to work and make a living for my family. It’s been consistently dependable. I’ve been here practically my whole life.”

-Wayne BrownPressroom Special

Operations Manager

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“This group picture was taken at the Executive Inn near the Kentucky Fair and Exposition center in May 1974. It was the first Master Printers of America awards banquet that I took part in. Today, only four of us are still employeed here at Publishers Printing: Ronnie Adams, Wayne Brown,

Ronnie Adkins, and me. The remainders of the group have left the company, retired, or are deceased.”

-Larry BlantonManager of Research & Auditing, and Quality Control

Standing (left to right): Harold Taylor, Jerry Bennington, Joe Gast, Ron Adams, Larry Blanton, Tracy Dunn, Herb Cook, Wayne Brown, Sonny Jackson, Jim Robinson, Eddie Bryant, Ron Adkins, [Unidentified], Freddy Wells. Seated (left to right): [Unidentified], Joanne Hatfield, Mona Jones, [Unidentified], Marcella Phelps, Carol Hatfield, Eva Whittle, Barb Crume, Billy Young, Frank Simon.

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Adversity

Before Frank E. Simon made the decision to relocate to Shepherdsville, he spoke with leaders in the community and studied old newspaper copies of the town to make sure the building would be on high ground in the event of a flood. His foresight and intuition are commendable. Just three years after the move, a flood left the city of Shepherdsville under water. Publishers, however, remained high and dry. To keep production slowdown to a minimum, employees came to work by boat, and some even walked the railroad tracks. Magazines were put into sacks and taken by boat to the I-65 exit, where they met post office trucks.

Of course, there were some adversities no one would anticipate. The

pressroom suffered a couple of back-to-back blows in the following years. In 1976 it was damaged by fire, and the year after that was devastated by a train that came through the building and demolished a new four-color web press. During that time the company leased press times from two other companies and scheduled press forms, paper stock, and work crews in order to get work completed.

Floods, train wrecks, fires, and snow storms have all made appearances at Publishers Printing Company, sometimes more than once. Somehow through it all, business proceeded, work was completed, and the company continued to flourish.

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1976Fire in pressroom.

1977Train wreck demolished a new four-color web press.

“I didn’t see it coming through the building, but I heard it. I thought it was an earthquake.”

-Ron LeeVice President of Pressroom Operations

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Eighties

Nick and Michael Simon joined Publishers Printing in the ’80s, and this marked a time of substantial growth for the company. “We probably started the eighties doing $20 million in sales and we finished them doing maybe $90 million. It was a great decade for us,” recalls Nick Simon.

Many of the traditions that are still practiced today got their start in the 1980s. With 123 magazines in production, third shift had begun. The additional days bonus pay program was established, and pages were now being logged in on the computer. The new Publishers Press logo was created, symbolizing five generations of family ownership. The Blood-Horse account was also secured, marking a major turning point for the company.

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1980The company started a third shift, and was printing about 123 magazines at that time.

Paul Capito with the first third-shift management crew.

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1981Nicholas X. son of Frank E., joined the company.

1982Michael J. son of Frank E., joined the company.

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“The eighties were a really good growth period. We probably started the eighties doing $20 million in sales and we finished them doing maybe $90 million. It was a great decade for us.”

-Nick Simon President

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1983Publishers Printing was the first major printer to install the Perreta Color Register system.

Started logging pages on the computer.

1984The company was the first printer in the country to install the UV Coating system on a cover press. Customers were so impressed with the gloss that it became a major selling point.

1985Publishers Printing obtained the contract to print Interview Magazine, owned by Andy Warhol. Every printer in the country was after this account.

The Commercial Division was built.

1986After a survey found that most customers knew of the company as Publishers Press, a logo was created containing five Ps, one representing each generation of family ownership.

Publishers Printing began printing The Blood-Horse Magazine.

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When the construction of Interstate 65 pushed Publishers out of its downtown Louisville location, plans to relocate were inevitable. Within just eight years of the move, a 15,000 square foot addition was already underway at the Shepherdsville plant. That was the first of many more to come. From additions to expansions, numerous upgrades have taken place over the years.

Nick Simon recalls plans for the Lebanon Junction plant: “When we started planning our second plant in 1989, we wanted to stay in Bullitt County because we’ve had such good luck here. It’s worked out great.”

“Even Shepherdsville grew from a basic farming community to the successful city it is today,” recalls Jim Haberman.

The company’s services have grown as well, keeping up with technology and staying on the forefront of change.

“That’s a pretty remarkable stretch if you consider that we were basically a trade publication printer 20 years ago,” says Michael Simon of the company’s growth and development.

Now, Publishers Printing Company services 10 percent of the market, printing nearly 1,400 publications, and producing a total print count of about 425 million each year.

When asked what the next 50 years hold for the company, Michael Simon says: “I perceive that we will maintain our edge in technology and in service that will allow us to continue to be a viable entity in the print publication marketplace and actually extend our services beyond print where applicable, where appropriate, where advantageous to us and our client base.”

Growth

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“The Blood-Horse altered our perspective on what our own capabilites were, it put us on a little bit higher level...to become a bigger printer in the marketplace…”

-Michael J. SimonExecutive Vice President

Dan Weber (top) was the first CSR for The Blood-Horse magazine. Pictured at bottom is Michael Simon with Stacy Bearse, publisher of The Blood-Horse, and his wife, Nancy.

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1988

Michael J. was issued a patent for his openface, pin register, blueline frame.

Frank, Nick, and Michael Simon visited Fuji operations in Japan with several employees. At one time, Publishers Printing was the largest customer of the film and plate producer.

1987

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“I’ve been able to venture outside of this country and represent the people of Publishers Printing, and I do so humbly and proudly. It’s been a lot of fun and it’s very rewarding.”

-Michael J. SimonExecutive Vice President

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Nineties

As the 1980s came to a close, no one could have predicted what the next decade would hold for the company. The ’90s were just getting underway when Frank Simon passed away. Nick was appointed President, and Michael was named Executive Vice President. “We’re kind of pushing the ball forward that he created,” says Michael.

As the early ’90s continued, sales grew to just under $100 million. The Lebanon Junction plant opened for busi-ness, and the company made history by producing a magazine using a complete computer-to-plate process. By the end of the ’90s, distribution improvements were being made, as Publishers Printing established the first USPS-approved co-palletization program for short-to medium-run magazines.

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1990

Plans were drawn for a second plant in Lebanon Junction, Ky.

Frank E. passed away. Nick was named president, while Michael became Executive Vice President.

Frank E. Simon was inducted into the 1990 Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame.

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Frank E. Simon1922-1990

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“I loved that man, he was fair to me. If you took care of him, he took care of you.”

-Joe BernzweigThe only remaining Publishers Printing employee from the

original Louisville plant, on his admiration for Frank E. Simon

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“I know a lot of people have said it, but I believe Frank was fair, firm, and friendly. He was a very fair man with all the employees, he was very firm with his managers, and, I believe, he was very friendly with everyone.”

-Joe Gastformer Pressroom Manager

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The Shepherdsville City Council renamed Beech Street, Frank E. Simon Avenue, in appreciation and recognition of the man the Council felt was the most supportive to the surrounding community.

1990

“He was a super man, he was like a father to me.”

-Orville Crigler 45-year employee

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1990

A three-story addition at the Shepherdsville plant was completed.

1991

Operations began at the 120,000 square foot Lebanon Junction plant.

Construction began in Shepherdsville for a 19,000 square foot Shipping and Bindery addition.

Shepherdsville plant was closed down for three days due to a train derailment. Operations continued in Lebanon Junction.

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1994

The company makes history with its production of Sports Car International, the first magazine to ever be printed with a complete CTP process.

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1997Publishers Printing established the first USPS-approved co-palletization program for short-to medium-run magazines.

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Community

By definition, generosity is a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected. Over the course of 50 years, the Simons have taken that meaning to a higher level. From the police department, to the local schools, Publishers Printing Company is always willing to give back. “The Simons are very caring and no other companies here are like that. They’re involved with any and all things in the community,” Tom Kelly says. As the largest employer in Bullitt County, Publishers has had a big impact on the growth in the community.

Even from the very beginning, the company’s giving spirit has been recognized by the community. In 1967, The Pioneer News paid tribute to

the company by writing: “One industry in Shepherdsville that deserves recognition is the Publishers Printing Company. While serving Kentucky and the nation for more than 100 years by printing fine quality magazines, the company still provides Shepherdsville and all of Bullitt County with many economic benefits. We are proud to have such a fine quality industry in Bullitt County.”

Employees do their part as well, heading up fund raising events for organizations such as March of Dimes and Relay for Life, organizing food drives, tutoring local students, and more.

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“Publishers Printing Company contributed in many ways to the city, including equipment to the fire and police departments, the YMCA, and I am sure many other things I am not aware of.”

- Jim Habermanformer Vice President of Sales

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Two Thousand & Beyond

As a new century began, the company continued its growth in both manufacturing and technology. The distribution capabili-ties continued to advance, and magazines were beginning to appear electronically on computer screens. The company’s growth has been substantial over the last 50 years. “Back then, it was a full monthly cycle to do seven or eight magazines, and now we’re doing seven or eight a shift,” says Nick Simon.

Currently the company employs over 1,800 people and prints around 1,400 different publications.

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2000

The Postal Drop Shipment Program was initiated, allowing Publishers Printing to combine and ship magazines from both plants to several postal facilities across the country.

The Lebanon Junction Training Center was completed, enabling on-site training at both facilities.

2001

A 48,000 square foot warehouse was completed in Lebanon Junction for the storage of equipment and maintenance parts.

The Gutenberg 3/4 scale replica was built by Lee Thomas, Jim Beach, Joe Thomas, Henry Hume, and others from the maintenance department. It was presented to the Simon family at the 25-Year Anniversary Luncheon.

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2002

The Lebanon Junction Plant purchased and installed two MAN Roland 4-unit presses.

Michael J. Simon was inducted into the 2002 Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame.

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2004

The third MAN Roland press was ordered to be placed into service the following year.

2005

The company installed its first co-mailer, which would allow customers to offset current and future postal increases.

Publishers Printing became the seventh largest publication printer in North America.

2003

Nicholas X. Simon was inducted into the 2003 Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame.

“We came here from Louisville with about 40 employees. Now we have 900 in Shepherdsville and 900 in Lebanon Junction. I’m feeling good about the future.”

- Nick Simon

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2006

The combination of co-mailing, co-palletization, and drop shipping make up the PubXpress distribution system at Publishers Printing, the first of its kind in this market.

The drop shipping program was expanded to achieve destination entry at 173 postal entry points.

The Publishers Press logo was redesigned to look more like a printing press, while incorporating the Ps representing each generation of family ownership.

e-PubXpress was created and our first online magazine customer went live.

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2007

Publishers Printing adds tabloids and polywrapped magazines to its co-mail capabilities and expands to 190 USPS entry points.

In October, Publishers Printing sets a record for highest monthly revenue, with sales of $22.65 million.

2008

Publishers Printing began co-mailing Standard-class magazines.

Construction in Shepherdsville began on a three-story addition to the bindery and shipping operations.

Present: 1,800 employees; Shepherdsville — 340,000 square feet; LJ — 700,000 square feet.

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Employees

Whenever Frank E. Simon was asked why he decided to move to Shepherdsville, his response was always, “Because I like the people.” His vision for what the people of Bullitt County would provide to Publishers Printing Company was an accurate one. Employees contributed to his vision of growth and prosperity by providing the skills, ingenuity, and forethought that aided the company in achieving its success. From building and repairing equipment, to embracing ever-changing technical advances, the growth, prosperity, and success is a direct result of the dedicated employees who committed their time to develop innovations, produce a better product, and discover a better way of doing things.

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Bea Noe

Eva Whittle

“It was a small plant back then compared to what we have today. You probably knew everybody at the time. From Eva Whittle at the reception desk to Bea Noe back in shipping... Very gracious, friendly, and hospitable people that obviously cared about their jobs. They cared about the company and that came through in their efforts, and in their loyalty and dedication to their jobs.”

-Michael Simon

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Joe Gast Larry Blanton and Tracy Dunn

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Karl Gearhart

Tony Whelan, Ken Mouser, and Al Hutton

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Tom KellyJoanne Hatfield and Nick Simon

“Bullitt County has been an awful good home for us. The people in Bullitt County are our type of people.”

-Frank E. Simon

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Joe Thomas and Michael SimonAllen DryJerry Bennington and Tom Kelly, Jr.

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Walt Diersing and Jim Haberman

Barb Crume and husband, Chuck Linda Edelen

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Tim Haley and Bobby Miller

Ron Lee

Mark Veatch

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Karen Kerman and Ed Wells

Joe Gast and Jimmy Perkins

Carol Hatfield and Michael Simon

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Joe Bernzweig

Clara Myers and Carl Thomas

“Bullitt County has some great people. A lot of people working for us are third generation, their grandparents worked for us in those 50 years.”

-Nick Simon

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Joe SweeneyJim Anderson

Mike Humphrey and Gayle Henson

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Susie Fields

Richie Browner and Keith Tucker

Marion “Sarge” Thomas

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Jerry Johnson and Dan Weber

Carol Sherrard and Ron Pugh

Becky Ashbaugh

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Mary Royalty, Helen Hill, Monica Hayes, Linda Edelen, Judy Milsap

Joe B. and Bill Gumm

Denise Ison

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Connie Bradley, Lori Hourigan, Anna Sohm, Amanda Glass, Debbie Bass, Susan Mock Steve Kirtley Carol Hatfield and Norma Young

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Doris Hensley, Lil Myers, Mark Oliver, Angel Yates

Vernon and Juanita DillanderKenny Johnson

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Tom Plemmons, Terry Maddox, Brian Bleemel, Dianne Roberts

Hazel Adkins

Barry Woods

95

Susan Adkins and Carl LogsdonForest Timberlake Rick Pruitt, Mike Spurlock, Jimmy Terrell

96

Tom Wheeler, Rudy Settles, Dan WeberKatie Trunnell, Darlene Morrison, Helen Hill

Sharon Walls

97

Michael Simon and Walt Rice

Dan Millsap and Joe Luckett Joe Thomas and Elizabeth Simon-Thomas

98

Kelly Reesor and Joe Ryan Roger Anderson, Jr., Lisa and Bill Moore, Roger Anderson, Sr.Tim Sanders

99

Tim Sanders

Barb Shepherd, Linda Edelen, Clara Myers, Helen HillDon Bryant

Orville Crigler

100

Jim Haberman, Paul Capito, Kenny Mouser, Joe Gast

Dave Russo, Gigi DeWeese, Darryl Wiggins, Bryan Bullock, Dan Weber

101

“Publishers Printing Company is a collection of individuals. The work ethic, dedication, loyalty, enthusiasm for the job is clearly what separates us from the competitors and what makes us who we are today.”

-Michael Simon

102

The Shepherdsville plant, 2008.

103