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By MIKE REUTHER
Since taking over Labels by Pulizzi less than two years ago, its new owners like where the business is going.
"We had a good strong first year," Selina Pulizzi said.
Added Vince Pulizzi: "We saw over 7% actual real growth in the first year."
The husband-and-wife team said it's all about a "can-do-attitude," solid employees, and hard work.
Vince's family launched the business more than 50 years ago, but it wasn't until 2021, after being involved in other work, that he decided with his wife to buy the company.
The business, located at 3325 Wahoo Drive, has been described as a leader in the flexographic and offset printing industry. Among its products are print, promotional, and custom products.
"A lot of people think we just print stickers," Vince said. "We manufacture pressure sensitive labels. So we are a manufacturing industry."
Labels for products are shipped in and out of the state, and in some cases overseas.
"We are the largest label manufacturer and commercial printer within 100 miles," Vince said.
The business employs about 30 people, many of whom have been with the business for years.
The experienced workforce was a big plus for the business moving forward, helping to guide the couple as they got more acquainted with the company.
"They were very helpful," Selina said.
"We hired five new people since we took over," Vince said.
While expensive and sophisticated printing equipment can be found within the company's 30,000-square-foot facility, it's the employees who are its most valuable assets, he noted.
Vince and Selina bring different talents to the table.
"Selina has a great mind for finance and is competent in marketing, so she has been able to walk right in and do things," Vince said. "I'm more into product management and giving people direction."
Running the business poses its share of challenges, including simply keeping abreast and adopting to the nuances of the industry.
"There's the cost of products and the lag time to get them," Selina said, while adding, "it's starting to mellow out a little bit."
Vince's grandfather, Joseph V. Pulizzi, launched the company in 1968 out of a garage. In 1977, the business moved into the former Clark & Hoag tire business building on Market Street in downtown Williamsport.
After a fire there in January 1990, the business relocated to the west end of Williamsport.
Vince, whose father, and other family members, worked at Labels by Pulizzi, often dreamed of becoming part of the family business.
He and his wife are glad they decided to buy the business went it went up for sale.
"We see ourselves in a growth cycle," Vince said. "We don't want to maintain. We want to grow."
As part of being business owners, they feel it's important to be part of the community too.
Labels by Pulizzi sponsors Little League teams and takes part in toy drives and has been involved with the food bank.
"When you take care of your community, it will take care of you," Vince said.