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Search Menu Login Reset Password Home Weather Archive Sign Up for Alerts Full Site Close Menu Kurt Brombacher of Independent Printing Co. in Ashland is preparing for a new, centralized print shop. Local printing business plans expansion By Greg Stiles March 17, 2006 - 2:00 AM IPCO will add nearly 10,000 square feet to its space, consolidating operations currently spread among several rented buildings ASHLAND ' Independent Print Co., also known as IPCO, is poised to add nearly 10,000 square feet to its present 20,000-square-foot plant on Tolman Creek Road. IPCO arrived in Jackson County in 1968 and prints everything from voter ballots to packaging labels and annual reports. Company President Kurt Brombacher said the expansion will bring operations previously spread among rented venues under one roof. Batzer Inc. will handle the construction, slated to begin this spring. California is the company's single largest market, with Oregon accounting for about 30 percent of sales. But orders are shipped nationwide. IPCO's staff produces hangtags, canister labels, food wrappers, postcards, catalogs, giclee prints, brochures and newsletters, among other items. The company employs between 35 and 50 people depending on demand. Apple juice maker Martinelli's, Pacific Bell and Ohio lawn and garden care giant Scotts Lawn & Garden are among dozens of specialty label customers. California's Contra Costa County has long had ballots done by Independent Printing, while local favorites Maranatha Peanut Butter and Dagoba Chocolate are customers as well. Over the years, the company has kept pace with technological changes, which have hastened turn-around time for customers. In the old days, it took years to learn how to handle the presses, says Brombacher. The new machines are much easier to use, but they are still highly sophisticated. The company's sophisticated computer-to-plate printing scheme is light years beyond its beginnings as a job shop for a Richmond, Calif., newspaper. In 1924, the print shop was incorporated with co-founder Charles Brombacher, Kurt's grandfather, managing operations. In 1944, the firm became Independent Printing Co. and eight years later, Elton Brombacher, the present president's father, assumed control of the enterprise. Long before Ashland became a chic second-home destination for Californians, the little college town caught Elton Brombacher's eye. At the time, he thought it would be a decent place to live, recalls Kurt Brombacher, whose brother, Zach, retired from the company four years ago. Richmond was in a redevelopment phase trying to do something with its downtown core and his property in Richmond was part of that. He was a aware that I-5 was the real deal. He had two young sons and had spent some vacation time in Ashland. The company was already shipping products all over the United States and he said 'Let's do it.' The home office with 12 employees has since moved to Martinez, but most production is done here. While virtually every coffee table book comes out of China these days, there are plenty of American printing companies, many of whom are looking to acquire competitors. I probably get three queries a month asking, but I don't even look at them, says Brombacher. Besides, I've got ink in my blood and my younger daughter (Lisa Olson) is working with me here, so there's no need to think about that. Local printing business plans expansion" [email protected] . Popular Today Medford's Pint Rider will offer pedal pub tour Man charged with manslaughter in Medford shooting Meth, heroin seized in I-5 traffic stop Medford man who threatened Obama on Twitter faces up to 60 years in prison Showtime in the Siskiyous April heat whacks Oregon snowpack (No Heading) Latest Photo Galleries home search Full Site video weather daily archive txt alerts about mobile website limelight deals jobs real estate © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Full Site