George Brookman adds press to high-end print operation

by David Parker
Sunday's People
Calgary Herald
February 23, 2003

What a guy. He began his career packing groceries in the old Woodward's Department Store in Chinook Centre. He was soon promoted out of groceries and became a star of the house wares floor. Ambition and drive soon took him into the world of real estate and he joined Manulife. Today, George Brookman has to be one of the most recognizable businessmen in the city.

When I first met Brookman, he had moved on to an executive position with ATCO Development. We rode together up a yellow construction cage for a topping-off ceremony at ATCO 800, on the corner of 6th Ave. and 8the St. S.W. It has since been renamed Place 800 and still houses LaPella Spanish restaurant.

Brookman is a dedicated Rotarian and it was through his association with the Downtown Rotary Club that he changed careers again and bought a fellow member's business - West Canadian Graphics.

Although many at the time thought the industry was a sunset business, Brookman heeded the encouragement of his accountant, who reminded him that no matter how much he liked ATCO, Ron Southern would always be the boss, and here was a chance to own his own business. Bill Gillott had started West Canadian in 1952. Brookman purchased it in 1984 and has been going to work ever since at the company's plant at the corner of 10th Avenue and 8th Street S.W.

He's converted the old analog equipment into what today can be called the most sophisticated digital print centre in Canada. It's meant a huge change in the way West Canadian serves its customers.

In 1984, 100 per cent of the business came in on paper or film. Today, a good 75 per cent is shipped electronically over the Internet or on disc, which has cut down the number of pick-up vans needed.

And the business has grown from $5 million in annual sales with 45 staff to $15 million in sales and 142 employees. Another remarkable success is the retail photo finishing and digital camera sales shop he opened a couple of blocks west of his plant. He merged it with Toronto-based Vistek two years ago - 40 per cent of today's sales represent 100 per cent of sales before the new partnership.

Brookman continually invests in new equipment and his newest baby is a $1 million Heidelberg NexPress digital press. There are only six like it in Canada and it's the only one in Calgary, delivering superb quantity that truly allows West Canadian to print on demand. It's capable of producing 2100 pages per hour.

It's kept very busy as West Canadian is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - great for those presentations that require changes at three in the morning.

Brookman is a gung-ho boss who knows and supports every one of his staff and one who appears to live entirely for his company. But his high energy level has allowed him to be president of his Rotary Club;board member of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede responsible for racing; co-chairman of the Victoria Park long-range planning committee; sponsor and enthusiastic supporter of Theatre Calgary; and a director of KSPS TV Spokane for the past nine years.