Oct. 3, 2005—While no one ever wishes for misfortune to strike, Guilford, Conn.-based Royal Printing Service has proven that when things go wrong, it doesn't have to be all bad.

On Aug. 11, a fire roared through the facilities, wiping out all of its inventory, around 20 finished jobs waiting to be shipped, all of the finishing equipment, and the entire shipping department. Fortunately, the presses, including two digital machines, were spared.

Where some companies may have thrown in the proverbial towel, Royal Printing is not only rebuilding, the company plans to come back stronger than before.

Opportunity Knocks
"For the next three months our plan is to rebuild our equipment and building so that we can regain our pre-fire production capacity," said owners Louis and Susan Weady. "The loss of some older equipment has actually provided us with the opportunity to upgrade. For the next six months we plan to increase our sales efforts and replace or recover those clients who may have gone elsewhere during the immediate period following the fire. We also plan to launch an aggressive advertising campaign showing that we're back and better than ever."

The cause of the fire was ruled suspicious and is being treated as an arson investigation. Investigators believe it was set on the loading dock in bins of paper for recycling due to be picked up the following morning. The intense flames and heat destroyed the wooden loading dock and ignited the insulation in the walls of the metal building. The loading dock door also warped under the heat and formed a path for the fire to travel upward. The building is two stories high with no second floor in that section; the firewall in the mezzanine area, however, protected the second floor there from the fire, but there was extensive smoke and heat damage.

From the damage and the ashes, Royal Printing has found its own Phoenix . "Our clients have been amazing," the Weadys said. "[There have been] countless notes, phone calls, and visits from individuals and businesses. Other than time-sensitive jobs that had to be out for the brief period we were closed, the vast majority of clients have been very understanding and supportive."

In addition, Royal Printing has found help and support from elsewhere?its local competition. ?Our competitors were among the first to offer support and help during our recovery period," the Weadys noted. "A couple have done some of our printing jobs, others h ave provided and continue to provide bindery support with the finishing of large jobs, until we can replace our bindery equipment."

Royal Printing, founded in 1959 by Mr. Weady, has discovered that in times of need, there are people ready to lend a hand. Instead of turning the other way, or taking advantage of the company's misfortune, the people of Guilford have banded together to support them and help the business bounce back.

"One of the most positive things was the overwhelming community support, which at times we tend to take for granted," noted the Weadys. "People can be really wonderful, like the client/musician who offered to throw a concert to help us out."