Lloyd Schuh Co.

Little Rock Company Hits Stride With New Focus

The Lloyd Schuh Co. has been on a roll, and company president Scott Schuh hopes to maintain the momentum.

Sales at the Little Rock advertising services company topped $4 million in 2000, reflecting an average annual growth of 16 percent during the last five years.

Enlarged quarters, a bigger staff and a new name can be traced to 1995, when the company positioned itself to pursue more opportunities.

Back then, it operated out of a 7,000-SF location with 11 employees. Now, 40 staff members work out of a 35,000-SF office/warehouse.

“This last five years have just been incredible growth for us,” said Schuh.

Direct-mail advertising services have provided a historical sales base for the company. Today, its three largest business segments are direct-mail, promotional products and fulfillment services.

The roots of the company date to 1948 when Schuh’s father, Lloyd Sr., left his job selling supplies for Royal Typewriter Co. to start an advertising firm.

He bankrolled the venture with $2,000 from his savings and a $4,000 mortgage on his home. The business quickly became a sole proprietorship when his partner dropped out after three months.

A new partnership, Schuh, Miller & Trotter, was formed in 1958. Four years later, Schuh was flying solo again as Lloyd Schuh Advertising.

Scott Schuh can only recall losing one key employee to the competition during his 22 years with the company, an amazing stat given the high turnover rate of the industry.

The company works with 15-20 nonprofit groups annually, both through cash gifts and donations in kind.

Lloyd Schuh Co. received the 1995 Corporate Humanitarian Award from the state Office of Volunteerism in recognition of its charitable efforts.

“I’m most proud that we didn’t solicit that award, but we were recognized for work with nonprofits,” Schuh said.