Valassis Communications Inc. provides marketing materials and services to a wide range of industries, including consumer-goods manufacturers, retailers and technology companies. Valassis has products designed to reach specific markets, neighborhoods, households and international customers. Some of the company's products include customer relationship management software, newspaper inserts, polybags for coupons or other promotional materials, preprinted inserts, brochures and door-to-door sales materials. The company also serves customers through its subsidiaries, which include Valassis Canada Inc., PreVision Marketing LLC, Promotion Watch Inc.,
Valassis Relationship Marketing Systems LLC, and NCH Marketing Services Inc.
History
The story of Valassis began in 1970 when George Valassis incorporated George F. Valassis & Co. as a sales agent for printing companies. A year later, Valassis purchased his first printing press and moved the company from his house to a building in Oak Park, Mich., where the company operated as a full commercial printer. In 1972, Valassis introduced the Co-op Free-Standing Insert (FSI), offering it to advertisers as a well-organized, professional FSI program with national reach and guaranteed publishing dates and market distribution. In 1986, Valassis purchased Newspaper Co-op Couponing, allowing Valassis to provide both color inserts and on-page newspaper couponing. That same year, Valassis was acquired by Sydney, Australia-based Consolidated Press Holdings. In 1992, CPH took Valassis public. Through the years, Valassis continued to acquire companies, including NCH Marketing Inc. in 2003. By 2004, Valassis reached $1 billion in revenues.
Officers
Under Al Schultz' leadership as chairman, president and CEO, Valassis has increased revenue by more than 40% from $726.2 million in 1998 to $1.04 billion in 2004. Schultz, who has served as director of Valassis since December 1995, was elected CEO and president in June 1998. Prior to these appointments, he served as executive vice president and COO of Valassis. Robert Recchia has served as CFO and executive vice president of Valassis since 1991. He also serves as the company's treasurer and board director. He is responsible for all aspects of the company's finance, investor relations, accounting and information systems initiatives. Brian Husselbee is CEO of NCH Marketing Services and is responsible for leading Valassis' International & Services segment, including NCH Marketing, Valassis Canada and Promotion Watch.
In The News: Valassis Keeps Workers Happy
Job-hopping has become part of the routine for many employees today. But Valassis' employee-friendly environment could be why the company is considered such a desirable place to work. On Oct. 12 the company announced that the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA) named it one of Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. The MBPA judged companies on diversity and multiculturalism, work/life balance, communication, compensation and benefits and other workplace-related factors. The honor came on the heels of a Detroit News article published Sept. 11 that featured 18-year Valassis veteran Leslie Richardson in a story about employee longevity and an August story in Crain's Detroit Business that named Valassis one of its 60 "Cool Places to Work" in Michigan.
-- Compiled By Jonathan Katz. This appeared in IW's Dec. 16, 2005 issue.
Primary Industry
Publishing And Printing
Executive 1
Alan F. Schultz, Chmn., Pres. & CEO
Executive 2
Robert L. Recchia, CFO, Exec. VP
Revenues (US$ Millions)
1044.07
Revenue Growth (%)
13.92
Earnings Per Share (US$)
1.93
Total Equity (US$ Millions)
140.51
Profit Margin (%)
9.65
Return On Equity (%)
132.46
Debt To Equity Ratio (%)
1.95
Market Capitalization (US$ Millions)
NA
Revenue Growth (%)
13.92
Note: Financial data appeared in IW's August 2005 issue.
IW 50 Best Manufacturing Company
