Beginning June 1998, Nationwide acquired numerous commercial printing companies which are market leaders in their respective geographic areas in terms of customer service, responsiveness and quality. Each of the acquired commercial printing companies operates as a separate division and still utilizes the name in which it operated before the acquisition.

Nationwide's commercial printing divisions provide service in all areas of general commercial printing, including prepress, printing and postpress services. Its printed products include annual reports, direct mail pieces, sales literature, market letters, newsletters, training manuals, product brochures and catalogs for clients such as a major computer manufacturer, leading casinos, national marketers, and leaders in the hospitality and leisure time entertainment industries. Nationwide's operating philosophy emphasizes responding rapidly to client requirements and producing high quality printed materials. Responsiveness is essential because of the typically short lead-time on most general commercial printing projects.

The general commercial printing industry involves developing a client's concept into printable material through the use of design and electronic prepress services; using printing presses to imprint the printable material onto paper; cutting, folding, and binding the finished product; and finally, storing and distributing the finished product at the client's direction. Historically, design and prepress services were performed by service bureaus, advertising agencies, specialty printing services or the client; but because of the decreased cost of the technological advancements in computer-aided design software and hardware, general commercial printing companies are able to offer electronic prepress services to their clients on a more efficient and cost-effective basis.

Facilities

Nationwide's current facilities are described below.

Employees

Nationwide employs an aggregate of approximately 615 employees, approximately 503 of whom are employed in the commercial printing operating segment and 112 of whom are employed in the supply chain management operating segment.