McHENRY – Corporate Disk Co. makes 100,000 CDs and DVDs each day that are shipped around the world from its headquarters in McHenry.
It makes CDs, DVDs, books, training manuals and other products for a variety of clients. The company produces employee-orientation manuals and training videos for large corporations and sets of DVDs for self-help gurus. In addition to producing various media packages, Corporate Disk Co. also stores and distributes materials for its clients.
Corporate Disk started in 1984 selling bulk, blank 5-1/4-inch floppy disks with custom-printed sleeves and labels. As technology advanced, the company began duplicating information onto 3-1/2-inch floppy disks, then audio cassettes and VHS cassettes.
Corporate Disk now works primarily with CDs and DVDs. It also has digital printing equipment to produce CD and DVD case inserts and other packaging, instruction manuals, marketing materials and other printed products.
For large orders, the disks are plastic-injection molded and data is imbedded on the disk using a metal master stamper during the production process. The clear disks then receive a metal reflective layer that allows a laser to read it. Next, they get a protective lacquer coating.
Though most of the production process is automated, employees are responsible for putting together packaged materials and distributing them to its clients customers. Corporate Disk ships 5,000 to 10,000 products each day, making it one of the McHenry Post Office’s biggest clients.
It’s manufacturing and warehouse facility at 4610 Prime Parkway in McHenry holds the collected wisdom of scores of independent authors and experts who teach everything from how to play the guitar and how to make your own pickles to how to improve your dating life and eat healthy during the holidays.
Though Corporate Disk Co. has invested in digital content distribution, many of the company’s clients still see a value in CDs and DVDs, said David Gimbel, executive vice president of operations.
“Ten years ago I was told we would be living in a paperless world,” he said. “Now we’re printing more than ever.”
Joe Foley, vice president of sales and marketing at Corporate Disk, said that many clients offer their content both online and on CD or DVD, allowing users to pick the medium they prefer.
“At first, everyone jumped for digital,” Foley said. “But now its coming back to people wanting that physical product.”
Corporate Disk moved to its current 60,000-square-foot facility in the McHenry Corporate Center in 2004 from its previous location in Wood Dale. The McHenry County Economic Development Corp. helped entice the company with a $450,000 loan, which the company has since repaid.
“It’s been a good home for us,” Gimbel said. “It’s a great place to do business.”
