On May 14th, ION Print Solutions was born from the combination of two great companies, Nisku Printers Inc., and Dial Printing Ltd. Two well respected printers in the Edmonton print community. "The ION asterisk it the perfect iconic representation of the new ION brand. Six colour capability, six operational units, and six values, all in a perpetual state of forward motion, always changing, always evolving, all rotating around a singular concept... the customer", said Craig McEwen, Managing Partner, ION Print Solutions.
"BrandHardware looked at who we were as a company. They examined what we stood for; our mission, vision, values. They cross-referenced that against what our customers have been asking for and created an expression of what our new organization stood for. Quality, Customer Care, Innovation, Technology and Community are the driving forces behind our business and our new brand. They are more than just words, they are a promise to our customers. They were the roots used to form our brand and have been ingrained in our approach from the strength and values within us. In the coming months we will show the Edmonton and the world our values, capabilities and how we've grown from the infancy of print.", Mr. McEwen added.
BrandHardware is a very refreshingly different brand and creative boutique, unlike anything else in western Canada. Everything we've created for ION was based against their initial brand strategy. From the name itself, to the visual expression of their brand (the logo), to their corporate brochure, advertising, web presence, even the initial launch celebration, everything was strategic, focussed, and directed to fulfill the brand promise to their customers", said Bruce Lacerte, President, BrandHardware Corporation. Please click here to view some of the photos from the festivities.
"We are very excited about the symbiotic approach we've had with ION. We love working with innovative companies and ION is the innovation of print. Although we are only about two-thirds along our journey in ION's brand development, people are starting to take notice. Have a look at what the Financial Post had to say. Click here.
To view the web expression of the ION brand click here.
BrandHardware was approached by AGS Group to create marketing communications materials to showcase AGS’ new approach to manufacturing Pipe Supports for the oil and gas industry.
After listening to the concerns of Gary Tardif, Project Director and David Hart, VP Manufacturing, BrandHardware came to the conclusion that a combined media approach was the only option. The true magic of their revolutionary Pipe Support process needed to be shown. To do so we created a “virtual” video tour of their facilities so that their customer base, regardless of where they were in the world, could see revolutionary approach they took to creating Pipe Supports. Their approach far increased product quality and cut cost. They had however scheduled several meetings with some of their largest clients to showcase their capabilities, to capitalize on this BrandHardware created a customized, personalized brochure (unlike anything the oil and gas industry has seen) and Powerpoint presentation to remove any guesswork that they are the best at what they do.
The results are best read in Mr. Tardif and Mr. Hart’s own words, “The Virtual Tour provided our clients a real hands-on flavor of what AGS has to offer. It demonstrated our superior approach to the Pipe Support market from current providers without incurring the expense, inconvenience, or time prohibitive nature of a “physical” tour.
The final outcome of our new Pipe Support brochure and Video Virtual Tour is that both are of outstanding quality and professionalism. We have received several very positive responses to both of these tools.
The whole Brandhardware organization worked well with our people and helped us demonstrate our manufacturing and design capabilities.
We can say categorically that these tools have definitely provide AGS with the lead on upcoming opportunities.”
Please click here to view AGS' video tour.
With the help of BrandHardware, ION invited Anne Vick, a polar climate expert and volunteer with Al Gore's Climate Project, Professor Ken Macro of CalPoly University and Bill Timpano of the Rainforest Alliance to explain it all in detail.
They touched on the "big picture," the macro view of sustainability, global warming, carbon footprints, and related topics. They also looked at the micro view focused on graphic communication—printing, publishing, packaging, and non-print digital imaging, including Internet applications, web sites, and related media. The event also covered forest sustainability and what being FSC certified means.
Dave Finlayson from the Edmonton Journal attended and wrote "It's easy being green - just be more lean, and you'll find combining the two will increase your profits."
"I'm seeing it in all industries, where companies such as Wal-Mart, Costco and FedEx are becoming leaner to save money," said Ms. Vick. "They're reducing packaging, streamlining processes and finding that lean leads to being more profitable. Corporations can play a big part in slowing down the critical climate-change trend, especially through supply-chain efficiencies."
"The presentation was incredibly successful and it was gratifying to everyone at ION because it reinforced both our commitment to our global community and our strategic vision for print solutions", said Craig McEwen, Managing Partner. “ION Print Solutions is FSC, Rainforest Alliance certified and now powered from 100% green energy using Bullfrog Power. ION is pursuing our Ecologo™ (a program started from Environment Canada) and SGP (Sustainable Green Printing Partnership) certification, two of the most stringent environmental specifications in North America. The completion of the above will propel ION into a class of only a few select printers in Canada. We have also introduced a myriad of print solutions that align to this vision of sustainable development.
Ms. Vick was kind enough to offer BrandHardware these words, “by helping ION embrace what it takes to be “environmentally sustainable," they have gained tangible results, such as increased market share and customer loyalty.
BrandHardware have successfully shown that doing good can be good for business. I hope their example of concern for--and action on behalf of--the world around us, will extend across North America and beyond.”
ION's reward for its environmental commitment was over $250,000 in orders and quotations from new and existing customers.