Panther Graphics adds printing press

Rochester’s 10th largest commercial printer is growing.

Panther Graphics Inc. has added a new offset printing press at its Central Avenue facility, adding 10 jobs in the process. The printing solutions manufacturer will receive up to $150,000 from Empire State Development through the Excelsior Tax Credit program in exchange for the job creation commitments, which it already has met.

Sixteen jobs were retained at the firm and Panther Graphics is looking to hire an additional five employees.

“Panther Graphics is very proud to be a part of the city of Rochester’s business community for close to 25 years,” said the printer’s president, Daryll “Tony” Jackson Sr., in a statement. “Our growth and success is the result of positive relationships with many strong partners who recognize not just the value of our products, but also the value of our people and our commitment to community.”

Founded in 1993, Panther Graphics provides complete capability for long and short runs of printed products, access to graphic art and creative services, fulfillment and inventory management. The company’s work includes designs featured in annual reports, banners and signs, marketing collateral and a number of other products.

“Supporting the growth of downtown businesses is an important part of the regionally designed, Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan,” Howard Zemsky, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, said in a statement.

Finger Lakes Forward is the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate economic growth and community development. New York State has invested more than $5.2 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan, including investments in photonics, agriculture and food production and advanced manufacturing.

In 2001, Panther Graphics was named to the Inc. magazine Inner City 100 list of the 100 fastest growing companies in America’s inner cities. The company was named to the list again from 2008 through 2010.

“The continued growth of our local downtown businesses, like Panther, plays a key role in the strength of our regional economy,” said New York Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, in the statement. “I am excited by this expansion and am grateful to Gov. Cuomo and Empire State Development for their dedicated efforts to investing in our future, creating more jobs and growing the Rochester economy.”

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