AlphaGraphics

The AlphaGraphics network of more than 260 independently owned and operated business centers provides a full range of solutions for design; digital, offset and large-format printing; marketing communications; promotional products; digital archiving and mailing services. In addition, it offers integrated marketing solutions using direct mail and cross media.

AlphaGraphics, Inc. is a franchisor and is part of the UK-based Pindar Group, a leading print and electronic media company that employs more than 2,500 people worldwide. The family owned company was founded in 1836 in Scarborough, England, where its head office remains today. Pindar’s approach and close attention to processes and costs enabled them to grow sales in 2007 to a record £111 million, nearly half a billion U.S. dollars.

AlphaGraphics was founded by entrepreneur Rodger Ford in Tucson, Arizona, in 1970. A pioneer and innovator, Ford’s vision was to create business centers that offered customers the latest visual communications technology. After building the company’s operating systems into a successful and profitable business model, AlphaGraphics began franchising in 1979. In 1984, the company became the first desktop publishing retailer. By the late ’80s, AlphaGraphics was aggressively pursuing the global marketplace, becoming the first U.S. printing franchise to expand internationally.

Today, the AlphaGraphics network is composed of more than 260 owner-operated business centers located in the United States, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It has approximately 1,900 employees worldwide.

According to FranchiseGator.com, purchasing an AlphaGraphics franchise requires a total investment of between $240K to $375K. Financial assistance, training, and support are available.

To date, AlphaGraphics is the only franchise print company to have attained ISO 9000 certification system-wide through the International Organization for Standardization.

See also

• Photocopy
• Xerox

References

External links

• Official UK site
• AlphaGraphics Official Site
• Alphagraphics Wolverhampton, West Midlands
• [1] an article from 1991 exploring print franchisers. The situation has changed since the time of the article, but the article gives a good history of the print franchise boom before the internet became widely used.

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