Ocean State Book Binding is a trade bindery located in Providence, Rhode Island. We provide a wide variety of trade finishing services including, cutting, folding, stitching, perfect binding, wire-o binding, plastic spiral binding, mini-folding, die-cutting, laminating, spot gluing, remoistenable gluing, double sided taping, high speed shrink wrapping, kitting, and handwork. Though we are a small company, we are extremely flexible, and capable of turning small and large jobs around very quickly. We also run 2 shifts, so we can meet the demands of our customers, including turning around complicated jobs that require diecutting, folding, gluing, punching, collating, and wire-o binding with a 2 day turnaround!

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Cutting , folding, stitching, perfect binding, wire-o binding, plastic spiral binding, gbc binding, mini-folding, spot gluing, remoistenable gluing, diecutting, pocket folders, tipping, collating, laminating, high-speed shrink-wrapping, drilling, round cornering, kitting, double-sided taping, and handwork. Learn more . . .

HOW MANY YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY?

Forty years. My father was in the bindery business and I went to work with him when I was seven making boxes!

Name the most pressing challenge or issue

I believe the most pressing issue for a trade bindery today is the increased demand for quick turnarounds. Because of this significant change in the demands of the industry with respect to turnarounds, we began purchasing highly automated equipment that can set up and run very quickly. We purchased equipment from Bobst, James Burn, and Horizon to name a few.

What resources do you utilize to help you achieve business goals?

I use my customer interaction to achieve my business goals. Because we are a smaller company, I estimate, schedule, and service my customers every day. By estimating jobs, customers give you feedback about your price competitiveness. Scheduling work gives you feedback about your turnaround competitiveness. Customer service with your customers gives you a real time barometer of your success in the eyes of your customers. Customers are a great resource.

What is your view of the industry?

I believe our industry is mature and shrinking. I think we have seen the worst of the poor economy. However, I also think it will be a long slow climb back up. The key to the future is to learn the lesson from the past eighteen months. Grow slowly, be fiscally conservative, and keep your company lean at all times.

What are some of the projects that your company has undertaken recently?

We recently purchased a new Bobst Commercial 106 diecutter. In order to hit the ground running, we had our operators attend training at the Bobst facility in New Jersey prior to the machine arriving. Once the machine was delivered and installed, we were running our first job within days and we’ve been running well ever since.

What is the most common error that customers make when they submit a job?

The most common error that customers make when they submit a job is in the layout. Either not enough gutter for a gripper, or different gutters on cover and text forms for books. Take a look at our Tips page for some helpful hints.