A/E Graphics was originally founded in Brookfield, Wisconsin as a division of Green Bay Blue Print Company which goes back nearly a century. The original owner was Max Schober of Berners-Schober in Green Bay where he became a partner in 1906.
Max Schober
Guy and Marjorie Lam later ran the Brookfield division.
Marjorie and Guy Lam
Fred Gennerman and Mel Kirsch acquired and renamed the company A/E Graphics in 1978.
Fred Gennerman and Mel Kirsch
Max, Guy, Marjorie, Fred and Mel lead with a basis of hard work, quality results and great customer service.
Green Bay Blue Print division in Brookfield in 1976
Always looking to the future, Fred and Mel helped to adapt their roots in blueprinting, photocopying, pin bar registration for manual drafting, photography and manual drafting supplies into a digital document and color graphics powerhouse.
In 1987, Fred and Mel moved out of their original location into a new building they built at North 124th Street in Brookfield which is the corporate headquarters today.
Hand rendering of A/E Graphics in Brookfield in 1987
A/E Graphics HQ in Brookfield as it looks today
In 1999, A/E Graphics opened a branch headed by future partner John Sieber on Milwaukee Street in the Third Ward in downtown Milwaukee which later went on to expand in space two times, then in 2006 moved into the historic Marshall Building where it operated for 18 years.
In 2001, Fred and Mel retired and the longest tenured employees became owners of A/E Graphics. Recognized as professional, reliable, devoted and passionate team members from the get go, it was natural that the leadership roles would pass on to the employees. Current owners Tom Taubenheim would be chosen to oversee finances and manage sales, while Tim Davis would handle IT while the other part of the team Dan Schmidt and Joe Shaw would manage production.
In 2004, a Mequon branch was started by Dan Schmidt that went on to a five year run.
Through the 2000's, A/E Graphics launched new innovations in digital printing, scanning, online document management and wide format print equipment sales, service and supplies.
In 2009, Epic Color was born from growing demands for custom signs and displays. The plan..to do it better, faster and above all..to "be Epic". Originally located in Menomonee Falls, Epic Color would be run with the same passion and work ethic as A/E Graphics and be managed by Dan Schmidt.
Original Epic Color Location in Menomonee Falls 2009
Over the years as the print industry continued to change including the way services were offered, a better workflow efficiency was needed. In the summer of 2015 a complete remodel of A/E Graphics 124th Street building was launched that would divide the space into two suites. A/E would reside in suite A with Epic Color moving in under the same roof in suite B.
In August of 2016, John Sieber retired after more than 30 years of service.
John Sieber Retires in 2016
In June of 2022, A/E Graphics acquired B&L Graphic Solutions in Jackson, Wisconsin, with Joe Shaw as manager. This allows for further growth and diversification with added services like corrugated printing and prototyping for retail displays, high volume yard signs, banner and poster printing and small format color printing including flyers, catalogs, custom business cards, and envelopes.
B&L Graphic Solutions in Jackson
Dan Schmidt retired in August of 2024 after nearly 37 years.
Dan Schmidt Retires in 2024
A/E Graphics leadership team comprised of Tom Taubenheim, Tim Davis and Joe Shaw along with their outstanding team members are always looking to serve clients better with a Yes We Can attitude that truly sets A/E and its group of companies apart.
Now you know why A/E Graphics is "A Better Plan".
