CULTURE From the Ground Up

from ROUX - ISSUE 2 2023

by Digital Publisher

Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team MAKING WAVES YET AGAIN

Hulco Printers Celebrates 50 Years

By Mandie David Kiddy

Small businesses are the backbone of our community and an important part of what makes our country the land of opportunity, and it’s an impressive feat to not only survive but thrive.

Celebrating 50 years, Hulco Printers, Inc. has done just that.

“This is why I always stress the importance of shop local, buy local, and support Acadiana, Owner Obie Hulin said.

Obie’s parents, Odey and Joannie Hulin, opened their business in 1972 , a small print shop where business cards, forms, envelopes, and other printing materials were the focus. Quality and service was their mantra, and hard work, dedication, and excellence paved the way for a successful future. “It’s an honor to be able to carry on my mom and dad’s legacy,” Hulin expressed.

Obie was 11 years old when the Hulin’s opened the doors to Hulco Printers and grew up watching the blood, sweat, and tears his parents to build the business. Not only did he witness their work ethic, but he also learned their standards and moral. Hulin explained, “From my dad I learned that your word is your “bond. From my mom I learned how to treat people and that customer service is important. I love to talk which made selling and customer service come so easy for me.”

Two major turning points were when Hulco Printers was incorporated in 1984 and when Odey became ill and passed away in 1993. Joannie retired and Obie took over the business. “It was a big transition,” Hulin said. “It made me realize how big the responsibility of taking care of my employees and our customers was going to be. I went from salesman to owner quick. As a kid, I knew what I wanted Hulco to be and was able to do that once I took over.” Under Obie’s watchful eye, the business grew from a small mom-and-pop print shop to the printing market. He expanded, offering products, embroidered and screen-printed decals, and banners.

On the forefront of innovation, Hulco Printers was one of the first print shops in Louisiana to dive into digital technology and later acquired a digital label press, the first of its kind in the state. Hulco Printers now prints labels for several of the largest food producers in the South.

On December 1, 2022, the business hosted a 50th Anniversary celebration with clients, friends, and community leaders, including Scott Mayor Jan-Scott Richard who proclaimed the day “Hulco Printers, Inc. Day.” Moving forward with fresh ideas, Obie revealed a new logo at the celebration to carry them into the next 50 years. R