International Filing Co. is striving to enter new markets and expand internationally.

International Filing Co. (IFC) prides itself on providing customized products to its customers. “Our strength is on-demand, custom products,” CEO Phil Coerper says. “We provide value for our customers that need custom filing, packaging or other paper converted solutions.

“We listen to the customer and then provide a solution that’s specifically tailored to their requirements.” he explains.

IFC manufactures filing products such as folders, indexes and expansion pockets. It was founded in
2002 by combining three smaller filing companies from Mississippi, California and New York.

The company’s core markets – medical facilities, professional, and government agencies – have changed over the last several years because digital innovations, Coerper notes.

“We have had to transform our company,” he says. “On the operational side, there has been a lot of innovation, such as lean manufacturing and automation. We have really benefited from lean at our plants by relocating equipment to improve flow, reduced inventory throughout the value stream, dramatically cutting lead times and eliminated many steps from our processes.

“Our customers gain advantage on lead-time, smaller size of order, and reduced inventory because of faster cycle times for reorders.”

At the same time, the company is striving to enter new markets, such as education, personal organization, as well as expanding internationally.

“We are leveraging our capabilities and gearing toward a broad group of new customers,” he says. “We can help customers manage documents and get organized in new and innovative ways.”

Coerper says the company is making large investments in e-commerce to attract new customers. The system connects IFC’s nationally integrated enterprise system directly to the e-commerce platform. The system allows clients to quickly quote, design, order and track online.

“Our mission is to make custom easy,” he stresses. “We make it very easy to get custom products without having to order a truckload or hassle with specifications.”

Market Challenges
The current economy has forced IFC to face some challenges, such as high freight costs and logistics. It serves customers nationwide from plants in New York, Mississippi, and California as well as a distribution center in Illinois. “Freight costs are a huge challenge even with our regional facilities,” Coerper says. “We focus on building and warehousing the products at the most effective location so our customers get product quickly and cost effectively.

“Some of the regional competitors and importers who only have one location are really disadvantaged when it comes to freight,” he notes.

“The economy has impacted some of our core markets but other segments are still doing well,” he says. “Our ability to quickly respond with cost effective products is driving growth in those. Our facility in Mississippi has a real advantage for custom work even against competitors in China and Mexico.”

Lean Manufacturing
Lean manufacturing is a key tool of IFC’s business, Coerper says. “We need operational lines that can support shorter and more responsive runs,” he says.

IFC implemented lean manufacturing in 2004, but it did not do well the first year, Coerper notes. “Paper converting is a difficult model for lean,” he explains. “Long machine runs, long lead times and high inventory levels have been part of the business model for years. We had to be creative in how we implemented it.

“We really focused on scheduling, quick change over, and changing the culture to a new way of thinking about production,” he explains. “The new model was selective in choosing where a lean line would be placed and where a more traditional line would be effective. It was not a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Coerper says the company is still on the lean journey. “We’re the largest custom manufacturer of our type,” he says. “We must continue to gain efficiencies and add volume without having to add a proportional level of staff, inventory and equipment.”

Growth Opportunities
Coerper says he expects IFC to continue to expand to new markets.

“Some of our markets are in tough economic times but these periods offer the best opportunity to transform the business and to look hard at what we’re doing,” he says.

“We have so many opportunities for growth,” he adds.

“We’ve got a great work force, supportive communities and a strong cost and value position to work from. Investing in technology and responsiveness is critical.”

“Converting paper is a mature and competitive marketplace,” he says. “We’ve been able to put together a fanatic team and plan,” Coerper adds. “These are very exciting times and we’re on our way to a bright future.”