Suttle-Straus Takes Home the “Benny” – Awarded Multiple Premier Print Awards

The Premier Print Awards, the graphic arts industry’s largest and most prestigious worldwide printing competition, recognizes outstanding achievements in print production. Suttle-Straus of Waunakee recently received four 2017 Premier Print Awards.

The Premier Print Awards are the printing industry’s oldest and largest worldwide graphic arts competition, hosted by Printing Industries of America. In its 68th year, the annual contest recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of superior print communications. The event promotes excellence in print communications and rewards companies and individuals who produce the very best in print media.

This year, more than 2,210 entries were received from printing and graphic arts firms from around the world, and judges awarded the Benny to the top entry in each category.

Suttle-Straus President Ted Straus said, “We are thrilled to be recognized by the international Premier Print Awards. Winning four Benny awards reinforces our commitment to providing the highest-quality products and delivering on our promise of value to our customers.”

Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing industries of America, agrees. “The Benny winners represent the best our industry has to offer. This year’s entries were outstanding. There were entries from companies in eight countries. Despite the fierce competition, Suttle-Straus, through hard work and dedicated craftsmanship, produced multiple pieces worthy of the Benny.”

Suttle-Straus received a “Benny” for the following four projects:

SUB-ZERO WOLF M SERIES COOKBOOK

Sub-Zero Wolf compiled a cookbook with recipes for decadent meals prepared using their M Series ovens. It features a gloss dispersion effect on the cover, along with vibrant images, overall varnish, and spiral binding to bring the whole piece visual interest and a high-end look that the company is well known for.

GRESSCO GV PRO SELF-MAILER

This self-mailer features several unique finishing techniques, including a closed gate fold, creative die-cut shapes, and a UV dispersion coating to give it added dimension and intrigue. While the overall design appears clean and colorful, the additional panels on each page fold down to reveal detailed product information.

This mailer was also featured on Fold Factory’s Super Cool Fold of the Week.

SUB-ZERO WOLF WESTYE F BAKKE CENTER BOOK

This colorful book features striking images of Sub-Zero’s Bakke Center and highlights some of the artwork present throughout the building. The smyth sewn, case bound book features a debossed and foil stamped cover, and the body pages feature a spot gloss aqueous coating.

US SOYBEAN BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT BOOK

This book features over 200 pages and tabbed dividers with soft touch coating. Spiral binding finishes the piece, and a USB was tipped on the back cover to allow recipients access to the complete details of the report.

Suttle-Straus will receive their Benny at The Premier Print Awards Gala, which honors all the companies that had the top award conferred upon them. The 2017 Gala is scheduled for September 10th at the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL.

Learn more about printing with Suttle-Straus.

WPS Health Solutions wins BBB International Torch Award for Ethics

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 21, 2017—WPS Health Solutions is one of the winners of the 2017 BBB International Torch Award for Ethics from the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust.

Presented annually since 1996, the International Torch Awards are given to businesses that demonstrate superior commitment to exceptional ethics practices that benefit their customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and surrounding communities.

“Being recognized for this award is an honor and a reflection of our company’s commitment to acting with integrity,” said WPS President and CEO Mike Hamerlik. “We are proud of our employees for consistently upholding our values and standards.”

WPS won in the category of companies with more than 500 employees. The award ceremony is Sept. 19 in Atlanta.

“WPS Health Solutions exemplifies what adhering to a fair and principled marketplace means,” said Jim Temmer, CEO and President of BBB Serving Wisconsin. “The Better Business Bureau congratulates this long-standing Wisconsin company, which showcases that ethical standards are key to business success and the trademark of a deep-rooted, successful company.”

The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust is the educational foundation of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for over 100 local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. WPS became eligible for an international award after winning the local Torch Award competition from the BBB Serving Wisconsin in May 2016.

This is the fourth time a Wisconsin company has won an international award since its inception in 1996. Rockwell Automation won the award in 2012, Briggs & Stratton Corporation won in 2015, and Harley-Davidson won in 2016.

Finalists were selected by an independent panel of business ethics experts. Companies are evaluated against criteria including commitment to and demonstration of ethical practices in the marketplace; high standard of behavior toward customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities; truthfulness and accuracy of advertising and sales practices; ethical reputation among industry peers and communities in which they do business; and training and communications programs to assist employees in carrying out established ethics policies.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans and their families. In 2017, the international Ethisphere® Institute named WPS one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for the eighth straight year. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Betty Harris Custer receives Circle of Excellence award

Betty Harris Custer, Founding Managing Partner of Custer Plumb Financial Services, will receive the Women in Insurance & Financial Services’ (WIFS) annual “Circle of Excellence” honor for 2017 in October. The “Circle of Excellence” distinction is conferred upon a select number of women in the industry based upon their extraordinary achievements and given out at the WIFS national conference.

Starion Bank receives highest rating from BauerFinancial

Starion Bank has received a five star “superior” rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating firm.

BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. Star ratings are assigned on a scale of zero-to-five stars, with five being the strongest, and are based on the overall financial picture of the financial institution. The ratings are independent, meaning no institution is able to pay to be rated or excluded.

“We are proud to repeatedly receive Bauer’s top rating,” says Craig Larson, CEO at Starion Bank. “This recognition is possible thanks to the commitment Starion employees make to providing exceptional service to each and every customer. That dedication makes Starion a great place to bank and to work.”

NGL receives Business Supporter Award from Operation Fresh Start

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) was honored to receive the Business Supporter Award presented by Operation Fresh Start (OFS). NGL accepted the award during the Fresh Start Awards Luncheon on May 12.

OFS is a nonprofit that provides and promotes employment training, mentoring and education opportunities to Dane County youth ages 16 to 24. Founded in 1970, OFS has offered its services to more than 8,000 youth and adults who were looking to better their lives. NGL has supported OFS programming for five years.

“We understand the value and the need to support an organization like Operation Fresh Start. It’s a beneficial community resource that provides an opportunity for youth to learn not only job training, but leadership skills, education and a solid work ethic. For youth it’s a fresh start down the path to become a productive member of society. It’s an organization that truly makes a life changing impact on a person’s life,” said Mark Solverud, NGL President & CEO.

Solverud continued, “NGL is proud to be recognized for its support of OFS. We want to share that recognition with the corporations and individuals who donate to OFS. In addition, we want to acknowledge and thank all of the employees, the Board, the officers, the volunteers and anyone connected to the organization.”

About Operation Fresh Start

A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, Operation Fresh Start has provided comprehensive employment and training services to over 8,000 youth and adults in Dane County, Wisconsin since 1970. For more information, visit www.operationfreshstart.org.

About NGL

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products including specialty and student insurance. Additional information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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