1157 designconcepts’ history is an evolutionary progression from old to new technologies. Founded in 1948 in Sidney, Ohio as News Engravers, the company produced zinc engravings for the presses that printed the local newspaper. In 1962, the company merged with Sidney Printing and Publishing and became Amos Press, Inc. News Engravers became the Nameplate Division of the new company and began manufacturing industrial and recognition products. In 1988, as the result of corporate restructuring, the division became VisionMark, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amos Press and expanded its product line to include a broad range of recognition solutions, specializing in the design and manufacture of custom donor recognition systems using a variety of materials. Offering on-site consultation, creative design, and on-time delivery services, the division provides unique, attractive, and functional recognition displays. In 2007, the late Joe Rudy, then VisionMark’s vice president of sales, and a group of investors purchased the recognition portion of business from Amos Press and renamed the company 1157 designconcepts.
The company has been in the custom recognition business for more than half a century, providing innovative recognition solutions that are both creative and customized according to each customer’s specific needs. Currently we are the vendor of choice for more than 2,500 major colleges, leading medical centers and hospitals, museums and other not-for-profit organizations throughout the United States and Canada. Our superior customer service and attention to detail are the hallmarks of our success.