Large Format Industry Loses a Legend

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Oct. 12, 2017 - PRLog -- In 1976, as the country was celebrating its centennial year, Bob Konrad was opening Graphics Factory at 4^th and Main Street in downtown Royal Oak where he served the graphic & printing industry with typesetting and negative production services.  As personal computing became more common in the early 90's and typesetting services were needed less and less, Bob took note of a young and developing niche called large format printing. With eyes to the future, Bob pivoted Graphics Factory into large format printing and quickly found his sweet spot for the next 25 years.

Bob became well known for delivering high-quality prints to artists, designers, photographers and more. Andy Harrison, Marketing Director at ArborOakland Group said "With as much time invested in a project, the creative community is very discerning in who they work with. I have seen the level of trust and appreciation, many in the community, enjoyed with Bob. I think in Bob they found someone who treated their print(s) with a level of care they didn't readily experience elsewhere." Harrison continued "I think because of the mutual appreciation and trust, Bob's interactions with his clients was unique, with many developing into friendships over the years."

After Bob's wife, Jeannine, passed away in 2013, Bob decided life was too short to stick around and keep doing the same thing. Even though Bob wasn't in the best health himself, he began to travel; something he and Jeannine had talked about doing but didn't. Many of Bob's destinations included casinos where Bob became known as Bingo Bob, for his knack of winning at various games. "Travelling is unique, in that there is a level of adventure and unknown that comes with it. I think that served Bob well when he decided to close Graphics Factory, join our company and begin a new adventure," Harrison said.

In 2016 Bob was ready for yet another change and after celebrating his 40^th year in business joined the company.  On October 1, 2016, Bob Konrad locked his purple door for the last time at 4^th and Main in downtown Royal Oak, MI, joining the company and relocating to the new location. An original Graphics Factory window had been saved for more than 30 years when Bob had to replace his original door. After joining the company, Bob got a purple door again and the original Graphics Factory window was set inside.

Company president, Don Kirkland said "It is our goal to keep the 'purple door' open for Bob's clients.  ArborOakland Group is committed to continuing to serve Bob's clients' with quality prints and unique customer service but fully recognize it will be different for both the company and the client to do so without Bob. That is, after all, what made him a legend." https://www.arboroakland.com/

Born in 1950, Bob was 66 when he passed away on October 11, 2017. Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Jeannine.  He is survived by his brothers Bill, Gary and David, daughter Melissa Knisely, her husband Pat and their kids; Jackson and Lucas.

The family encourages memorial gifts be made to www.alsofmichigan.org

ArborOakland Group, one of Southeast Michigan's leading printing companies since 1967, is proud to call the Motor City its home and with wide-ranging print capability, help the world Speak Visually. Today the company is saddened by the loss of good person, friend and legend, Bob Konrad.