Durst and Middlestreet Graphics: A Partnership in Digital Innovation

G&J Pepsi/Middlestreet Graphics transformed the POS ordering system for bottlers across the U.S. using Durst technology.

It’s a critical time for commercial print businesses. Driven by the demands of customers who are in need of fluctuating support, including shorter lead times, maximum up time, and diverse production technologies, the print industry is making the shift from traditional processes to digital technology. In response, print shops are finding it necessary to expand capabilities to meet these requests and remain competitive.

Durst (Booth 7816) has partnered with a number of print businesses providing solutions to make this transition to digital print production easier. Durst delivers print products and software that can meet this changing demand, along with a commitment to environmentally friendly equipment. As a result, Durst has found that in upgrading print technology, customers not only retain existing business, but grow beyond their original core capabilities. A leading example of this is the Durst partnership with Middlestreet Graphics.

Founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Middlestreet Graphics provides digital printing for point-of-sale (POS), corrugated displays, retail signage, vehicle wraps, event marketing pieces, and food service promotional materials. Traditionally, PepsiCo offered its bottling network an online portal where bottlers could order marketing materials for various programs throughout the year, but with more demand over time the number of POS options available on the PepsiCo ordering portal have been limited to only a handful for each program.

To help supplement the need for other POS items not offered in the core program, PepsiCo began providing artwork files for their bottling network to use. However, the short print runs are costly for bottlers, and turnaround times are hard to meet for the program(s) in-market date. With approximately 500 bottlers in their network, G&J Pepsi needed a robust print solution that would deliver the most recent marketing materials in a timely and cost-effective manner. In order to meet this demand, they expanded upon the current capabilities available at Middlestreet Graphics. 

G&J Pepsi Cola Bottlers met with Durst about working together to assist Middlestreet Graphics’ expansion in the wide-format printing market. This included continuing and adding printing applications such as vinyl banners, posters, floor graphics, magnets, corrugated plastic, corrugated board, styrene, foamboard, and more. After research and testing by Middlestreet Graphics, Durst was able to best meet these varying print needs, and provided the best equipment versatility, application technology, and service and support.

Middlestreet Graphics is now a 100% digital print facility. They currently have two Durst P10 250HS Plus machines and one Durst 312R Plus machine, allowing them to handle all wide-format work internally for G&J Pepsi as well as providing additional printing support for the Pepsi bottling system network. In addition, as a result of the initial success of the upgrade to digital, Middlestreet Graphics has been able to expand further, adding commercial print work for trade, and additional packaging/corrugated work.

As the print industry continues this shift and customer demands become more robust, print businesses will need to make the transformation to new technologies in order to remain competitive. G&J Pepsi/Middlestreet Graphics decided to be proactive in their expansion, rather than reactionary. Many print shops, like Middlestreet Graphics, have already embraced this change, realizing the benefits. This transformation, while an initial investment for the future, will prove to be not only a necessity, but a profitable addition to a business.