Chicago-based commercial printer Tukaiz LLC opened an Irvine facility to be closer to its largest client, Taco Bell Corp.
Tukaiz, known for photo retouching and digital printing, has done work for Irvine-based Taco Bell and others here for 15 years, according to Dan Defino, managing director of Tukaiz.
“Anything related to Taco Bell , we have our hands on currently,” said Robbie Merchant, director of sales for Tukaiz in Irvine. “Business has been good, even in these tough times.”
In Irvine, Tukaiz plans to retouch and manipulate photos for Taco Bell, part of Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc.
The company works directly with Taco Bell and with the Irvine office of Chicago-based ad agency DraftFCB, a unit of New York-based Interpublic Group of Cos. that handles Taco Bell’s account.
The company works with pictures of tacos and other items and “just tries to make them look better,” Defino said.
“When a new product comes out, like Taco Bell’s volcano taco, Tukaiz works with Taco Bell to make the product look delicious and wonderful,” he said.
Tukaiz works with other ad agencies, including Santa Ana-based DGWB Advertising and Newport Beach-based O’Leary and Partners.
It also works directly with clients including St. Joseph Hospital-Orange and San Diego-based WD-40 Co.
“The end goal for the office is to seek out all the agencies not just in the Irvine area, but also Los Angeles and San Diego,” Merchant said.
Tukaiz works with O’Leary and Partners client Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, the Mexican bakery company that includes the Oroweat bread account.
The printer also has done work with DGWB client Newport Beach-based Galardi Group Inc., which runs the Wienerschnitzel fast food chain.
The Business Journal estimates Tukaiz’s yearly revenue at about $35 million.
The company declined to disclose sales but said they have grown 50% in the past two years.
Tukaiz’s Chicago headquarters offers marketing services including Web service, marketing campaigns, printing and fulfillment.
The 10,000-square-foot office in Irvine includes a prepress and retouching studio managed by Merchant.
Nine people were hired for the Irvine facility. In Chicago, Tukaiz employs about 150 workers.
