TABCO Design-Print-Promote, now turning 32 years old, is a case study in the realization of a small business dream.
Tom Bilyeu, a former employee of Moore Business Forms, founded the company at a desk in a bedroom of his Terre Haute home in 1978. It soon expanded into his garage, and in 1980, into the former Texaco station at 34th Street and Wabash Avenue. The station was remodeled and three additions added before the current plant and offices were built on three acres at 1100 S. State Road 46 in 1997.
Tom remains CEO and his wife, Dotty, secretary-treasurer; his sons Brad and Kris Bilyeu, president and vice president, manage the company equally.
In the beginning, TABCO supplied tabulating cards for computers. Now its printing and promotional product lines include printed forms, labels, stationery, envelopes, brochures, books, manuals, presentation folders, newsletters, graphic and corporate logo designs, Web sites, and promotional items to clients in Indiana and east-central Illinois.
Printing orders vary from a complete magazine publication to a simple note pad and promotional items can be as economical as a pen and as expensive as a crystal award. All kinds of clothing embellished with corporate logos fall in between. After printing, promotional products make up the next largest source of sales.
Print Solutions magazine (June 2008) named TABCO 46th out of the top 100 distributors in the business printing industry. Sales in 2007 were $7.7 million, a 6.94 percent increase over 2006. Their diverse client fields include education, banking, medical, retail and industrial.
Discussing the current recession, Brad said, “We didn’t go backward like the world did; our sales were up a little in 2009 compared to 2008. We attribute it to changing product lines and the hard work of our employees.”
Kris added, “We have 36 employees and this number is steady. Our sales staff base has been with us on an average of 10 years and two for more than 20. We have a small sales office in Vincennes also.”
They both agreed, “It is not the building or location. People are what make TABCO what it is. Our dad’s genuine concern and caring for what’s best for each client and employee continues. We genuinely care.”
They also keep current in the printing field. TABCO is affiliated with the Print Service Distribution Association. Advertising Specialties Institute, and Printing Industries of Indiana, of Illinois and of America.
Ordering from the online catalog reduces transportation costs, shortens the order cycle time and virtually eliminates errors. The design team reports they do not use templates or out-of-the-box packages for Web sites or logo design. As they like to say, our designs commonly produce the word “WOW!”
The Bilyeus say they have no reason to relocate in or out of Terre Haute. Kris said, “Our location on Indiana 46 is visible from the highway, it is easy to get to from any direction, and it is near the airport.”
“And, Terre Haute is a great place to be for consistent business opportunities,” added Brad. “Its peaks aren’t as high nor are its valleys as low as far as the local economy goes.”
Continuing to practice their dad’s work ethic and his genuine caring for clients and employees, the Bilyeu brothers plan on offering a “Total Office Solution” for many years to come.

Other articles by Dorothy Jerse

• All in the Family - January 1st, 2010
• Conservatory of Music - November 1st, 2009