Swift Printing Company announces transition of ownership to third-generation, Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon
Swift Printing Team Photo
Founded by Walter and Lorraine Gutowski in 1950, Swift Printing Company on Bridge Street has been a staple on Grand Rapids’ Westside for decades. The company was passed down to their son, Walter Gutowski Jr., in the 1980s, and now history is repeating itself. New to the helm but not new to printing is our president, third-generation, Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon, who has joined the ownership team. This transition means that Swift Printing Company is Grand Rapids’ newest women-owned small business!
FROM THE DESK OF JES
Three generations into printing on Grand Rapids’ WestSide, the pure love of printing is in my blood. As I always say, my blood runs ink. That phrase rings true now more than ever as I join the ownership team.
Unlike our normal, this hasn’t been a Swift process – I’ve been training and learning since my youth. My mom and dad have always said, “do what you love” and I certainly do love my work here at Swift. I worked for several family businesses after college and enjoyed it, but I always felt the tug to work for my family’s business. As a kid it was my job to clean the production sink in the print shop, coming to the shop on snow days with my dad, working hand-in-hand with clients as a customer service representative in high school and working remotely for odds and ends while living in Florida. The past decade has been part of my childhood fantasy, to play a big part in shaping the future of Swift Printing and that has now become a reality. I pinch myself daily to confirm that this is real life! Like everything in life, there are challenges. (Hello, I work with my family!) These challenges reap rewards of a different kind, like closeness with my parents and siblings. I feel as though I was born for this role, and am honored that my family has entrusted me with it.
Walt Gutowski Jr. posing as Ron Burgundy and Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon as Jennifer Corningstone for a light hearted billboard during the pandemic.
The team and culture we have on Bridge Street is one that makes me proud and inspired to continue investing in, every day. I’m excited to continue learning alongside my brother, Walt 3 and the rest of our amazing Swift Printing Team. The future of Swift Printing Company is printed on bright white cover stock and yes, it’s recyclable.
