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WHEELING -- From humble beginnings, TaylorMade Printing has grown into one of the most respected printing companies in the Ohio Valley, through cutting-edge techniques, reliability and personal touch.
The company's founders believed in good, old-fashioned hard work and a belief the area would respond to high-quality production from friends and neighbors. Now, TaylorMade Printing is celebrating 50 years in the business with both a sense of pride and gratitude to all its customers.
"We've loved every minute of serving the Ohio Valley and beyond," said company president Debbie Taylor, who is now retiring and passing the torch to her son Scott. "It's truly been a labor of love serving all our friends. As I look back on the last 50 years, I'm amazed at the changes in services and technologies we offer and am proud of what we've set up for TaylorMade's next 50 years."
TaylorMade sprouted when, in 1972, Debbie's husband and former company president Jim Taylor called on Chuck Fortney, who ran a small print shop out of his home. The two became friends and decided to form a partnership.
That partnership became Copies Incorporated, which was located at 1618 Jacob Street until a move to the current location at 1910 Jacob Street.
"We started our business with an SBA loan of $25,000," Debbie Taylor said. "We spent many nights worrying about how we were going to pay back the loan, but our customers didn't let us down."
"I remember those early years were frustrating, but exciting," Jim Taylor said.
"I knew from the beginning if we offered honest pricing and top-rate service we'd have a good chance of success. And that's still our credo."
The company name eventually changed to TaylorMade, yet that didn't mean the change was easy.
"At first, we were afraid to change it from Copies Incorporated," said Jim Taylor. "It had grown into a recognizable brand. But we were more than a quick-print operation because of all our equipment and capabilities. We were full-service."
It was the beginning of a growth spurt for the business.
After six years of partnership, Fortney, who has since passed away, moved to Florida and the business became the husband-wife endeavor of Jim and Debbie, along with son and then-production manager Scott.
They added a two-color Komori Press, a two-color Ryobi, a Davidson Web Press and a two-color Multilith Press. They offered Image Setting equipment for complex jobs.
And the changes continued.
"Now," said Debbie Taylor, "the printing industry is geared more toward digital printing rather than offset printing. Printing files are transmitted electronically and printed on our Canon ImagePress C8000VP. We are also a 'Union' shop offering political printing and mailing services."
The Taylor family has always been proud to make sure the needs of their customers are met. Ninety-five percent of the work is done in-house, and the other 5% brokered out is strictly supervised.
Debbie Tayor said son Scott is sure to maintain the work ethic.
"He's very knowledgeable and loves the printing industry," she said. "He's been with us for 30 years, starting with making deliveries to learning how to operate the equipment, from cutter, collator, folder and several printing presses. He's well-versed in management. We have no doubt our friends will continue to have a superior customer experience."
The current location boasts 10,000 square feet of space with two indoor loading docks. That provides not only space to store materials, but a quality work environment for the employees.
TaylorMade serves over 300 accounts, including local marketing agency Wheelhouse Creative LLC.
Jim and Debbie Taylor are also proud of their older son Jim, a graduate of Linsly who received a Ph.D. in pharmacy and is a professor at the University of Florida, and daughter Crystal, also a graduate of Linsly, who majored in fashion merchandising at Kent State and is currently living in Colorado.
TaylorMade Printing's hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office phone number is 304-232-1166