Western States

🎂 America Turns 250.

How will your customers celebrate?

Commemorative labels. Custom packaging. Event decals. Limited-edition promotions.

Let’s create something memorable.

Congratulations to the recipient of the David C. Reed 5-Diamond Award: Bill Polce!

This prestigious award recognizes an individual who exemplifies the five qualities that defined former National Sales Director David C. Reed: Integrity, Corporate Mindedness, Sales Performance, Tenacity, and Mental Toughness.

These attributes represent the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence that continue to drive our organization forward. We are proud to recognize Bill P. for consistently demonstrating these values and setting a high standard for success.

Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

Our team is getting ready for Greenville, and IPMA 2026 is right around the corner.

If you’ll be attending the show, be sure to stop by Booth 616 and connect with the Western States team while you’re there. We’re looking forward to catching up with familiar faces, meeting new attendees, and spending a few days talking all things print, mail, and packaging.

Whether you want to discuss current projects, industry trends, or simply stop by and say hello, we’d love to see you at the show.

Safe travels, and we’ll see you in Greenville!

Congratulations to the 2026 Western States Midwest Region Sales Team on winning the 2026 Iron Envelope award.

Capturing the top sales region, this team, day in and day out, never lets its foot off the gas pedal. But let’s not forget the additional winners— our customers who have benefited from the knowledge and dedicated customer service to help grow their companies.

Left to right: Anthony C., Garrett S., Dave S., Will S., Matt W., Bill P.
Front row: Kyle H., Ben K.

Tony Martin, Driver in KY, is recognized this month for the incredible dedication, care, and positivity he brings to his role each day. Whether he’s staying late to help a customer, quickly resolving an issue, or simply going the extra mile to make someone’s day easier, Tony consistently leaves a lasting impression on everyone he works with. Customers regularly request Tony by name, a true testament to the trust, relationships, and exceptional service he’s built over time. His reliability, professionalism, and customer-first mindset make him more than deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Tony, on being named Employee of the Month!

In observance of Memorial Day, Western States will be closed on May 25th as we take time to honor and remember the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country.

We will return to our normal office hours on May 26th, 2026.

We wish everyone a safe holiday weekend.

Western States welcomed members of GBIG to our facility for a walkthrough and closer look at our manufacturing processes.

Tours like these create valuable opportunities to share knowledge, connect with others across the 5P industries, and highlight the work happening throughout Wisconsin manufacturing.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and took the time to learn more about our operations.

After 41 years of dedication and hard work, we’re celebrating Jim Sommers as he begins his retirement.

Throughout his time at Western States, Jim made a lasting impact across Customer Service and Credit through his knowledge, reliability, and the relationships he built along the way. Known to many as “Papa Polar Bear,” Jim brought not only experience and commitment to the workplace, but also a sense of humor that will be greatly missed.

We’re incredibly grateful for everything Jim has contributed over the years and the example he’s set for those around him.
Please join us in thanking Jim and wishing him all the best in this next chapter.

NPF is underway this week in Phoenix, bringing together teams across mailing and shipping to focus on what’s working and what’s changing.

Conversations are centered around data visibility, automation, and how direct mail continues to support digital efforts.
We’re taking note of what’s worth bringing back into our day-to-day work—while continuing to focus on envelope solutions that help customers qualify for postage savings without added complexity.

Products like our Western grooved and Tear-ific® envelopes support automation, improve mailpiece performance, and align with evolving USPS requirements.

Learn more: https://multibriefs.com/briefs/npf/NPF042926.php

We’re heading to IPMA 2026 this June in Greenville, SC.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with other in-plant professionals, share ideas, and stay up to date on what’s happening across print, mail, and packaging.

If you’re planning to attend, we’d love to connect while you’re there. More details to come as we get closer.