Business growth fueled by Assiniboine grads

For almost a century, Leech Printing – now Leech Group – has been a respected member of western Manitoba’s business community. From its early years as a trade printer and publisher to the arrival of automated technologies and new printing techniques, the company has offered clients the latest communications innovations, and Assiniboine graduates have been a big part of that effort.

Meredyth Leech is part of the latest generation of leadership at Leech Group. “I handle our sales and marketing,” said Leech. “I’m overseeing our front office, with our customer service, staff, sales, and I am also very much involved in sales myself. So, I’m definitely out in the field. Hands on.”

“Our core is commercial print material. We’ve evolved over the years to include a suite of digital media services that includes web design, marketing services, graphic design, branding, and most recently we’ve really seen a lot growth in our large-format department. That’s everything from signage, displays, wall graphics, things like that,” she said.

“Everything is done out of Brandon, but we have a lot of customers in Winnipeg. We have salespeople who travel the province, serving as far up north as Thompson, down right to the border and into Saskatchewan.”

In terms of emerging challenges, Meredyth said that “AI is the latest disruptor that we’re really monitoring and also using as a tool. But that has also changed the way that people do business and the way that people are relying on certain types of services. There’s a lot of ways that we can benefit from it, in terms of automation and our production. There are things right from the front office to the back that we’re definitely wanting to take advantage of.”

She emphasizes that Assiniboine graduates have played significant roles throughout the evolution of the company’s business.

“Right now, we have at least half a dozen Assiniboine graduates,” she said. “We’ve had many, many more. They’ve been one of our best sources of talent, and we’ve hired numerous graduates over the years. Many have stayed and built successful careers with the company.”

Asked what makes Assiniboine grads attractive to Leech Group, Meredyth replies that “The cool thing about the college is that the experience there is very hands-on. It gives students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned right away.”

“We always have practicum students, and right now we have two. That experience gives them the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned right away in a business environment, and it gives us the chance to identify emerging talent and help students bridge the gap between school and actual industry experience.”

In terms of the relevance and usefulness of the education offered at Assiniboine, Meredyth said “From what I’ve observed and what I’ve discussed with some of the instructors, they’re very much in tune with what’s going on in the marketplace and the trends. I think they do a really good job of staying on top of that.”

Regarding the multi-decade relationship that exists between Assiniboine and Leech Group, Meredyth said, “As they’ve continued to expand their creative media – they’ve just opened the Creative CoLab, which is fantastic – we’re able to provide some of our industry expertise, experience and resources in terms of industry relationships beyond Brandon, just helping connect those dots for them if needed.”

“When business and educational institutions work together, it absolutely strengthens the workforce. It helps the community grow and helps keep people in Brandon,” she said.

“It shows that there are opportunities in Brandon where Assiniboine students can apply what they’ve learned and have a successful, long-term career.”