Interview with Tom Badger, General Manager and Director of Sales
Please tell us a little bit about Advocate Printing.
Our company was founded in Pictou Nova Scotia, we are a family owned business with leadership by Sean Murray our CEO. We employ hundreds of great employees throughout Atlantic Canada in addition to our supportive supply chain partners, and we have manufacturing locations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I joined the company in 2008 as General Manager and director of sales after a lengthy career in publishing with Brunswick News.
What does your business do and what products and services do you offer?
We are a commercial a printing company, including creative design, photography, videography and signage. Being a Canada Post Expert Partner, we are very adept with mailing and other distribution for the convenience of our customers. We can produce low volume digital to the highest volume of large format printing, brochures, flyers, books, magazines, newspapers and more!
We provide fulfillment and inventory management for “just in time” deliveries and a customized database management and on-line ordering system for many clients.
Can you tell me a bit about your clientele?
We are Atlantic Canada based and are laser focused on supporting businesses in Atlantic Canada, charitable and non-profit organizations and community! We have the pleasure to serve a vast array of businesses, from retail, manufacturing, industrial, commercial services and more.
How many staff does Advocate Printing employ?
More than 250
Is your business involved in any community activities or organizations?
Advocate believes in supporting community, we have participated/supported many community based organizations, activities and events including J.D.R.F, mental health, breast cancer, S.P.C.A’s, Hospice, Hospital foundations, Rotarians, Chamber’s of Commerce as well as others.
Can you tell me about one of your most rewarding experiences?
One of the most rewarding experiences is when a customer provides feedback on a job well done, and compliments our front line staff on being supportive in their consultation and making their experience pleasurable. We appreciate and work hard to delight all of our valued customers.
What are you most proud of in your business?
Surely our enthusiastic, supportive and customer focused team, from sales and customer care, to each individual in the production process who work very hard to deliver the our very best to all of our customers.
Has your business won any awards?
We have been acknowledged and recognized by many organizations for our community support, in addition to preferred supplier status.
What kind of challenges have you experienced in your business and how were you able to overcome them?
Challenges seem to present themselves daily and are simply a part of being in businesses. We have an exceptionally skilled and resourceful leadership team, and working with our employees are able to be nimble in responding to opportunities and threats, through frequent communication and collaborative problem solving, all in the spirit of helping our clients Grow, Operate, Communicate and Showcase their businesses.
What is the biggest risk facing your business or industry?
A myth that we as an industry need to work to dispel is that printing is harmful to our environment. All contributors to our supply chain are environmentally responsible, as are we in our operations. Print continues to be valued and effective with recyclable properties and a derived from renewable resources.
What is next for your business? Any exciting projects you wan to tell us about?
We are laser focused on supporting Atlantic Canadian businesses and communities, and will work to strengthen our footprint and capabilities, and evolving customer needs.
How do you feel about the economy and opportunities in New Brunswick?
At this time the economy for New Brunswick feels stable, however business continues to recover from 2020 with additional headwinds from inflation and cost of borrowing, with some stability opportunity can still be captured and working back to a growth economy.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about your business?
The diversity of our capabilities and the value of our employees, as I believe our business and employees are “best in class”.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received as a business owner?
While I am not the owner, I do take responsibility to make decisions that impact our business and stakeholders with consideration to alignment with our corporate values, impact on our clients, suppliers and employees under advice, “that the only place success comes before work……is in the dictionary”, and that if we help our customers succeed in their business…we will succeed in ours.