XM Solutions

XM Solutions are a vertically-integrated print management company that can create, print, print manage, pick, and pack your print requirements. Emerson Palmer, the Managing Director, tells us a little about how the company works.

1. When did you start your business?

The business was incorporated in 2001, but it was really 2005 when the business began trading. From a starting point of 1 employee serving our initial customer to over 38 employees in 2011, we now have a turnover of €10.5m last FY. We are now Ireland’s largest indigenous print management company.

2. Why did you decide to start your business?

Emerson Palmer (MD) set up the company, having worked with a leading print management company for a number of years. He always wanted to set up his own company, but it took a lot of courage to decide to go it alone in a sector where the buying power and support of your clients is so important. Emerson has a huge service ethos and he knew that his passion could be used to greater effect by serving clients directly through his own company.

3. What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting your business?

Cashflow – getting paid as quickly as possible and paying the suppliers on agreed credit terms. We need our suppliers to work in partnership with us.

4. What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Our biggest achievement is retaining our first and our largest client every two years when they go to the market to seek new prices, while also growing our service offering to this client and also to our wider client base.

5. What are your plans for the future?

To continue to grow domestically, to look for new services that satisfy the requirements of our clients, and to look at international opportunities and also acquisitions.

6. Who do you look up to in business?

Anyone who has the courage to go alone and set up on their own!

7. What is your advice for other entrepreneurs?

Go with your gut – build a great team – delegate to your colleagues and listen to your clients

8. What makes your business different or special?

Two things: a great team who always look to satisfy the requests of our clients, and our clients themselves. They are always supportive of our business.

9. What is your own professional background?

Emerson has his background in packaging having risen up through the ranks of some of Ireland’s leading packaging companies before moving into Print Management.

10. How are you gaining visibility and promoting the business?

We have recently been awarded a Deloitte Best Managed Company for 2011 – one of 20 businesses in Ireland to be recognised in this area. We have been using this to promote our company and are about to launch a new sales and marketing plan which has digital media at the heart of the activity.

11. Do you use any Social Media?

From a business perspective we have been active on Linked In – we are about to launch our new website in the next few weeks which will be used as a platform to promote our business, our services and our evolving client base!

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