William Denzen, general manager of rollfed and Red Rock Technologies business units for Smyth Companies is the 2014 recipient of Printing Industries of America's Managing for Improvement Award. The award is bestowed each year on a manager in the printing industry who has demonstrated the ability to create real and lasting improvement for his or her company.
Denzen was selected by the judges from numerous nominations received nationwide. The nomination underscored his ongoing ability to lead people, teams, and projects to higher levels of performance.
Denzen became the general manager at Smyth Companies in Minneapolis in 2008, and since then the company has seen more than a 30% reduction in changeover with some press groups achieving over 50% reduction. There has been a 70% reduction in the cost of poor quality and a 15% reduction in in-process waste. Under his leadership, Smyth introduced the e3 program (Engaged, Empowered Employees), which is the organization's foundation to create a positive work experience, breakthrough results, and operational excellence.
"Leading by example, good decision making, empowering and trusting his staff, and a tremendous passion for this business, are all important traits and some of the many reasons I trust Bill to run one of our flagship operations," said William Weernick, EVP of Operations, Smyth Companies, Inc.
Smyth Printing was founded in 1877 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally established to help local businesses with their commercial printing needs, the company eventually turned its focus to the production of labels for consumer product goods packaging. Smyth Printing was recognized in the Best of the Best Category for Printing Industries of America's 2013 Best Workplace in the America's Competition.
Denzen will receive his award at the 2014 Continuous Improvement Conference, March 30–April 2 in Dallas, Texas.
