11/09/2026
Image includes left to right: Jeff Besnick, President and CEO of LPI and Stephen Barmore, Chief Commercial Officer at LPI
Marietta, Ga. – LPI, New Berlin, Wisconsin, is entering a new era. Following several acquisitions and business expansions, the company has evolved beyond its roots as a trade finishing operation into a full-service packaging manufacturer. A key part of that transformation has been the installation of a Speedmaster XL 106-7+LYY-1+L with FoilStar from HEIDELBERG along with full shop integration with Prinect Production. Since the press was installed approximately one year ago, LPI has grown sales by 25% and expanded into new packaging markets.
“The Total Package”
Founded in 1984, LPI spent four decades building its expertise as a trade finisher specializing in hot foil stamping, embossing, die-cutting, and complex finishing. In 2023, the company acquired Chicago-based Pulver Packaging, adding printing capabilities to its already robust manufacturing platform while strategically strengthening its presence in the Chicago market.
“We wanted more control over our future by moving beyond our role as a trade finisher,” said Jeff Besnick, President and CEO of LPI. “That meant becoming part of a complete packaging solution, building stronger relationships with end customers and competing in the value-added space.”
While LPI acquired legacy printing capabilities from Pulver, it needed to strengthen its ability to provide high-end packaging solutions across a broader range of substrates and applications. For LPI, HEIDELBERG was the only press manufacturer that could deliver the “total package” it needed, combining advanced press technology with the integration, automation, workflow, and support required to grow its packaging business.
“The decision was about more than buying a press,” said Rob Watts, Print Production Manager at LPI. “It was about choosing a platform that could help us run smarter, improve faster, and manage performance.”
The XL 106 is LPI’s first new offset press purchase and is equipped with HEIDELBERG’s latest technology including Push to Stop, AutoPlate Pro, Prinect Inpress Control 3, and the HEIDELBERG UX, featuring AI-powered press assistance systems.
According to Besnick, “Because we offer rigid box and converting on multiple substrates, we needed a press platform that can handle it all. And that’s where HEIDELBERG really excels for us. The press’s advanced technology and ability to handle a variety of substrates enable us to achieve any challenge that a customer puts in front of us.”
Specialized Capabilities, New Markets
Due to LPI’s proficiency in finishing and high-end embellishments, dual coating capabilities, UV curing, and HEIDELBERG’s FoilStar inline cold foiling were essential on its new XL 106 in order to achieve high-end effects on a variety of substrates. While already equipped with offline hot foil stamping, LPI selected FoilStar for both its design flexibility and sustainability advantages. Because FoilStar is integrated inline with the press, printing and embellishment can happen in a single pass – eliminating additional offline processing. Foil also can be selectively applied and overprinted, significantly reducing foil consumption – thanks to its indexing functionality – while giving designers greater creative freedom to incorporate foil in virtually any color or design.
These press advancements, coupled with the integrated automation and AI-powered features and Assistant systems of the XL 106, have expanded LPI’s capabilities and opened the door to new markets and opportunities.
“In our environment, we have a challenging mix of work,” said Watts. “Some jobs are very makeready-dependent, while others are long runs where press speed and consistency matter. The XL 106’s intelligent and automated features help us be good at both – reducing variability, improving repeatability, and providing transparency to enable our operators to make smart decisions.”
Fully leveraging the press’s automation was a key reason LPI chose to implement Prinect Production alongside the new press. As a job moves through the workflow, Prinect automatically collects the job data and begins building the presets for the press. By the time the press is ready to start makeready, those presets are loaded, and makeready has effectively started before the operator even pulls the first sheet. “That saves time, reduces manual entry, improves consistency, and gives us better data from the very beginning of the job,” said Watts.
The XL 106’s specialized capabilities have helped LPI differentiate itself in a crowded market and opened new opportunities in luxury segments like liquor and spirits, fragrance, make-up/cosmetics, high-end confectionery, and other premium packaging segments.
“With the XL 106, we don’t have to be as rigid with the customer profile that we’re going after,” said Stephen Barmore, Chief Commercial Officer at LPI.
That shift has already equated to a 25% increase in sales this year, and according to Besnick, “80% of that growth is tied to the press capabilities.”
Visibility and Discipline for Growth
New to printing, LPI’s success as a full-service packaging manufacturer relied heavily on comprehensive support and training from HEIDELBERG as well as developing an experienced in-house team led by Rob Watts.
“For HEIDELBERG, it wasn’t just about producing a sellable sheet and moving on,” said Besnick. After installation, HEIDELBERG supported LPI in both sales training and developing samples and educational materials for its customers – assisting with an open house to help LPI’s customers understand its new print capabilities.
LPI also meets with an expert from HEIDELBERG’s performance team for monthly performance reviews to ensure the press is producing to its fullest potential. Together, the teams review production numbers, identify points of concern, and create future goals. “These calls have been a great resource in helping us understand where we shine and where we still need to polish,” said Watts. “That outside perspective is important because it keeps us honest and keeps the improvement process moving.”
Between calls, LPI has access to the Insights app through the HEIDELBERG Portal, where all production data is centrally located to manage and monitor performance. “That kind of visibility changes the conversation. We’re not relying on opinions or assumptions. We can look at the data, understand what’s happening, and focus on the areas that will have the biggest impact,” said Watts.
Through these continuous improvement efforts, LPI has increased its OEE by more than 30% since start-up and is targeting an additional 20% increase by the end of the year.
Starting from the ground up in printing may be seen as a disadvantage in today’s marketplace; however, Barmore thinks LPI’s history as a trade finisher helps it stand out amongst competitors.
“Our team is used to the challenges of very complex work,” he said. “The new press adds sophisticated printing capabilities to that expertise. We are now equipped to be a facility that can handle any project that is thrown at it.”
Looking ahead, Besnick said HEIDELBERG will continue to play an important role in LPI’s growth. “HEIDELBERG gives us the visibility and discipline to keep improving while allowing us to chase as many markets as possible so we can be more diversified as a company.”
About LPI:
Since 1984, LPI has partnered with brands of every size, in a multitude of industries, to transform traditional ink and paper projects into customer-engaging, storytelling brand experiences – generating viable solutions to execute their brand goals. From custom enhancements to complete packaging solutions, LPI’s team works with its customers’ teams to bring their visions to life.
About HEIDELBERG:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
Heather Banis
Director, Marketing & Sales Excellence
Phone: +1 (770) 419-6821
Email*: Heather.Banis@heidelberg.com
11/09/2026
Marietta, Ga. – LPI, New Berlin, Wisconsin, is entering a new era. Following several acquisitions and business expansions, the company has evolved beyond its roots as a trade finishing operation into a full-service packaging manufacturer. A key part of that transformation has been the installation of a Speedmaster XL 106-7+LYY-1+L with FoilStar from HEIDELBERG along with full shop integration with Prinect Production. Since the press was installed approximately one year ago, LPI has grown sales by 25% and expanded into new packaging markets.
“The Total Package”
Founded in 1984, LPI spent four decades building its expertise as a trade finisher specializing in hot foil stamping, embossing, die-cutting, and complex finishing. In 2023, the company acquired Chicago-based Pulver Packaging, adding printing capabilities to its already robust manufacturing platform while strategically strengthening its presence in the Chicago market.
“We wanted more control over our future by moving beyond our role as a trade finisher,” said Jeff Besnick, President and CEO of LPI. “That meant becoming part of a complete packaging solution, building stronger relationships with end customers and competing in the value-added space.”
While LPI acquired legacy printing capabilities from Pulver, it needed to strengthen its ability to provide high-end packaging solutions across a broader range of substrates and applications. For LPI, HEIDELBERG was the only press manufacturer that could deliver the “total package” it needed, combining advanced press technology with the integration, automation, workflow, and support required to grow its packaging business.
“The decision was about more than buying a press,” said Rob Watts, Print Production Manager at LPI. “It was about choosing a platform that could help us run smarter, improve faster, and manage performance.”
The XL 106 is LPI’s first new offset press purchase and is equipped with HEIDELBERG’s latest technology including Push to Stop, AutoPlate Pro, Prinect Inpress Control 3, and the HEIDELBERG UX, featuring AI-powered press assistance systems.
According to Besnick, “Because we offer rigid box and converting on multiple substrates, we needed a press platform that can handle it all. And that’s where HEIDELBERG really excels for us. The press’s advanced technology and ability to handle a variety of substrates enable us to achieve any challenge that a customer puts in front of us.”
Specialized Capabilities, New Markets
Due to LPI’s proficiency in finishing and high-end embellishments, dual coating capabilities, UV curing, and HEIDELBERG’s FoilStar inline cold foiling were essential on its new XL 106 in order to achieve high-end effects on a variety of substrates. While already equipped with offline hot foil stamping, LPI selected FoilStar for both its design flexibility and sustainability advantages. Because FoilStar is integrated inline with the press, printing and embellishment can happen in a single pass – eliminating additional offline processing. Foil also can be selectively applied and overprinted, significantly reducing foil consumption – thanks to its indexing functionality – while giving designers greater creative freedom to incorporate foil in virtually any color or design.
These press advancements, coupled with the integrated automation and AI-powered features and Assistant systems of the XL 106, have expanded LPI’s capabilities and opened the door to new markets and opportunities.
“In our environment, we have a challenging mix of work,” said Watts. “Some jobs are very makeready-dependent, while others are long runs where press speed and consistency matter. The XL 106’s intelligent and automated features help us be good at both – reducing variability, improving repeatability, and providing transparency to enable our operators to make smart decisions.”
Fully leveraging the press’s automation was a key reason LPI chose to implement Prinect Production alongside the new press. As a job moves through the workflow, Prinect automatically collects the job data and begins building the presets for the press. By the time the press is ready to start makeready, those presets are loaded, and makeready has effectively started before the operator even pulls the first sheet. “That saves time, reduces manual entry, improves consistency, and gives us better data from the very beginning of the job,” said Watts.
The XL 106’s specialized capabilities have helped LPI differentiate itself in a crowded market and opened new opportunities in luxury segments like liquor and spirits, fragrance, make-up/cosmetics, high-end confectionery, and other premium packaging segments.
“With the XL 106, we don’t have to be as rigid with the customer profile that we’re going after,” said Stephen Barmore, Chief Commercial Officer at LPI.
That shift has already equated to a 25% increase in sales this year, and according to Besnick, “80% of that growth is tied to the press capabilities.”
Visibility and Discipline for Growth
New to printing, LPI’s success as a full-service packaging manufacturer relied heavily on comprehensive support and training from HEIDELBERG as well as developing an experienced in-house team led by Rob Watts.
“For HEIDELBERG, it wasn’t just about producing a sellable sheet and moving on,” said Besnick. After installation, HEIDELBERG supported LPI in both sales training and developing samples and educational materials for its customers – assisting with an open house to help LPI’s customers understand its new print capabilities.
LPI also meets with an expert from HEIDELBERG’s performance team for monthly performance reviews to ensure the press is producing to its fullest potential. Together, the teams review production numbers, identify points of concern, and create future goals. “These calls have been a great resource in helping us understand where we shine and where we still need to polish,” said Watts. “That outside perspective is important because it keeps us honest and keeps the improvement process moving.”
Between calls, LPI has access to the Insights app through the HEIDELBERG Portal, where all production data is centrally located to manage and monitor performance. “That kind of visibility changes the conversation. We’re not relying on opinions or assumptions. We can look at the data, understand what’s happening, and focus on the areas that will have the biggest impact,” said Watts.
Through these continuous improvement efforts, LPI has increased its OEE by more than 30% since start-up and is targeting an additional 20% increase by the end of the year.
Starting from the ground up in printing may be seen as a disadvantage in today’s marketplace; however, Barmore thinks LPI’s history as a trade finisher helps it stand out amongst competitors.
“Our team is used to the challenges of very complex work,” he said. “The new press adds sophisticated printing capabilities to that expertise. We are now equipped to be a facility that can handle any project that is thrown at it.”
Looking ahead, Besnick said HEIDELBERG will continue to play an important role in LPI’s growth. “HEIDELBERG gives us the visibility and discipline to keep improving while allowing us to chase as many markets as possible so we can be more diversified as a company.”
About LPI:
Since 1984, LPI has partnered with brands of every size, in a multitude of industries, to transform traditional ink and paper projects into customer-engaging, storytelling brand experiences – generating viable solutions to execute their brand goals. From custom enhancements to complete packaging solutions, LPI’s team works with its customers’ teams to bring their visions to life.
About HEIDELBERG:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.
The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
Director, Marketing & Sales Excellence
Phone: +1 (770) 419-6821