The father of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg, likely never imagined today’s digital world. He invented the printing press in the 15th century, and it forever changed the world. Fast forward some 600 years, the written word now appears everywhere from hard copy books to digital signs.
Javeed Gire with Richmond Printing understands the power of the modern day printing industry. Gire’s thriving family-owned business on Houston’s southwest side is this month’s feature story in our Keep Rising Series.
Richmond Printing started in 1985 as modest print shop. Gire said the business proved successful and eventually grew into an industrial printing facility – handling clients from across southeast Texas. Gire said while they still literally print with giant presses, they rely on connectivity to help them deliver stellar customer service. He explained high-speed Internet helps them print brochures, magazines and pamphlets.
“Being in the 21st century, connectivity is critical and essential in any business. We are a technology-based company that requires connectivity all the time. Downloading and uploading files. Huge files require all the date to be transferred instantaneously,” Gire said. “Comcast Business has been able to provide us higher connectivity – download and upload speeds. That has helped us tremendously in our business. We’re probably one of the few that you can count on one hand that’s a family-owned business. We’re not part of any consortium or conglomerate.”
Gire said reliable connectivity from Comcast Business allows them to collaborate with their customers from the design process to the finished product. He said that’s the moment that truly makes the work worthwhile.
“I love what I do here because I get to meet different people from different industries,” Gire said with a smile. “Nothing is of more joy to me than to see a customer open up the boxes, flip through them and smell the fresh printing. They get to see and feel the product itself versus what they’ve been dreaming of and creating on the computer … finally it’s put now to life.”
Richmond Printing is a Comcast Business customer and one of nearly 800 Comcast RISE recipients in Texas. Comcast RISE is a free business support program which provides grants along with marketing services and technology makeovers to eligible small business owners.
Gire said Richmond Printing received a technology make over which helped the printing house supercharge their Internet speeds.
“We are really appreciative of that … real thankful,” Gire said. “I urge all the other small businesses out there to go out there and apply for these grants in technology makeover. Once you receive them, you’ll understand and realize how important they are and helpful they are.”
