RPI’s Russell Nickel Named 2010 CFO of the Year Finalist
Seattle, WA – March 5, 2010 – – RPI (www.rpiprint.com), a leader in automated, personalized manufacturing and fulfillment for the consumer print-on-demand market, today announced that the Puget Sound Business Journal selected its chief financial officer, Russell Nickel, as one of the finalists for 2010 CFO of the Year in the small private company category. Nickel was lauded for his success in helping to maintain RPI’s rapid growth despite a faltering economy through activities such as creative pricing structures for off-peak manufacturing months, and raising the average revenue per labor hour via the strict management of variable manufacturing costs. Additionally, he created a unique financial model that enabled company executives to evaluate the impact of management and purchasing decisions prior to execution.
This is the fourth year that the Puget Sound Business Journal has honored regional CFOs who have had a significant impact on their businesses.
“It’s difficult to keep pace with the many advances in technology and the improved workflow options now available within the publishing and manufacturing industries,” said Rick Bellamy, CEO of RPI. “Russell designed the financial tools and strategies that allowed RPI to stay ahead of the slowing economic climate with its tighter credit restrictions. Thanks to his supportive role, we now have a culture of transparency and accountability throughout all levels of RPI. More importantly, we have been able to maintain an aggressive manufacturing expansion and upgrade program while strengthening our profitability.”
Nickel joined RPI in 2008 with more than 7 years of public accounting experience at firms such as KPMG and Moss Adams. He also served in the private sector as the controller for Chef’n Corporation and the vice president of finance for Screenlife, LLC. He earned a B.A. at the University of Washington and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Washington.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, RPI has produced millions of photo products for partners such as Snapfish by HP, and was the first in the industry to hit the three million production mark for customized photo books in 2009.
About RPI
RPI is the leader in automated, mass-customized manufacturing and fulfillment for the consumer print-on-demand market. The company’s broad range of blue chip retail and online publishing customers rely on its consistent, reliable execution, creative design services and best of breed manufacturing for the rapid delivery of innovative products utilizing consumer-generated content. The privately held company is headquartered just outside of Seattle, WA. For more information on how RPI is helping fuel the rapid growth of personalized products, please visit www.rpiprint.com.
Contact:
Traci Pichette
RPI, Inc.
206-905-3270
tracip@rpiprint.com