
Dear Customers and Partners,
Recently, we had three client visits at our manufacturing operation in one week alone. We delivered our Envelopes 101 training along with wonderful plant tours. We are excited about expanding opportunities with all of you. For any of you that would like to see how envelopes are made, we welcome hosting you and your teams at our plant. We have a brand new 628 machine to demonstrate state-of-the-art envelope manufacturing and fill up with new work!
One of the reasons for having client visits is to educate our partner clients on savings as the USPS is a big issue right now with the July 2024 rate hike. We work closely with the EMA (Envelope Manufacturers Association) on your behalf to fight the postal increases and much more. Most recently, EMA has put together state-specific EMA Capitol Hill Days and will be representing Illinois on June 12th. If any of you, as our clients or vendors, would like to be in these meetings, our EMA President, Marie Clarke, is happy to discuss with you to understand what you may need on this front. Anything we can do to help the cause; we and our industry association are happy to help coordinate.
The EMA and colleagues in the industry are educating lawmakers on the Delivering for America plan (DFA). While it was a step forward to produce a transformative plan, the policies to date have led to diminished quality of customer service, unsustainable postage increases, and drastic declines in businesses whose commerce relies on USPS. USPS relies on both mail and packages for its revenues, yet since 2020, USPS has delivered 12 billion fewer pieces of mail, bringing volume to its lowest level in 40 years, while seeing no offsetting increase in package volume. Since implementation of the DFA plan, USPS has raised postal rates over 5 times and plans to raise rates another 7.7% in July of this year.
The sudden loss of mail caused by Postmaster General DeJoy’s new postage rate-setting framework foreshadows a destructive and repetitive cycle for both business and regular mail users. Direct mail remains a vital part of omni-channel marketing and solicitation vehicles with an average response rate of 4.4%, while email had an average response rate of 0.12%. Research shows that direct mail gets better response rates than email marketing. For example, according to the United States Postal Service (USPS), 42 percent of consumers went to a company’s website after receiving relevant mail in the past three months. Others went to the brand’s app, visited a storefront location, made a purchase, or otherwise advanced their relationship with the brand. Just 21 percent of consumers took no action at all. So don’t sleep on your direct marketing plans through the summer to drive business and non-profit donations your way. We can help you find cost-effective postal promos that save you and your clients money!
Best wishes,
Susan Foley
CEO
2nd Quarter Anniversaries
July 2024
Carl S. 21 Years
Pojanart D. 21 Years
Rosa R. 1 Year
August 2024
George S. 39 Years
Alfredo R. 26 Years
Sandra F. 25 Years
Sandy V. 25 Years
Catarino V. 21 Years
Olga B 19 Years
JonPaul R. 16 Years
Damon S. 6 Years
Jose D. 3 Years
Carolyn G. 2 Years
Rigoberto V. 1 Year
September 2024
Gilberto R. 39 Years
Tim S. 38 Years
Emilia N. 20 Years
Gildardo G. 3 Years
Vince P. 3 Years
Antony B. 2 Years
Matt H. 2 Years
Courtney S. 1 Year
Diane V. 1 Year
Javier O. 1 Year
Scott G. 1 Year

14 Fun Facts about Cicadas and Diamond Envelope:
Cicadas will appear in 14 states this year.
Diamond Envelope delivers locally, regionally and nationally. We have clients and customers in over 14 states so we cover a greater span than cicadas.
Cicadas buzz-saw-like call inspired musicians to write songs about them. Our machines make music when they are humming along at high speeds running your job.
Cicadas are not locusts. Diamond Envelope is not an office supply store. Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans. Diamond Envelope has been in business for 40 years this July 2, 2024.
Cicadas inundate forests as a survival mechanism. Diamond Envelope is part of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council. Our certifications prove that Diamond procures our paper from sustainably managed sources.
Cicadas can buzz louder than a lawnmower some reaching 100 decibels which is just shy of standing three feet from a chainsaw. Diamond Envelope has annual hearing tests for all employees due to the machinery we use to manufacture envelopes. We also have employees wear hearing protection every time they are in the plant.
Cicadas wings repel water and bacteria. Their wings have spikes and a chemical coating and are naturally antibiotic. Diamond Envelope uses water-based inks and recyclable poly window material to be environmentally conscious.
AJ Jania
Quality Variance: What is it?
We’ve all experienced it: a product experience that either exceeded or fell short of our expectations. Often these moments permanently shape our willingness to do business with a company or brand. If you’re a business owner, these moments are of the utmost importance. So how do you maximize your chances to exceed expectation? When talking about quality, it’s easy to focus on the engineered aspects of a product. For a physical product, the quality of parts is essential. For digital products, it’s the logic functions and user interface. It’s true these factors matter, but they’re only part of a larger whole. It can often be difficult to see THAT forest for the trees. The truth is every aspect of your business can make or break future customer engagement. Is your customer service team empathetic and helpful when there is a problem with the product; does your organization make those customers “whole?” Do you know when a particular operator/machine combination results in higher off-quality product rate (process visibility)? Often, the answers to these questions are a resounding “No,” and all these types of failures can be classified as a quality variance.
Quality variances are anything that deviate from what is intended in the process. Unchecked, their cumulative impact can undermine even the most innovative product. The most successful organizations shine a light on these variances and successfully minimize them through improvements to data collection, coaching, and adherence to established processes. Ask yourself: What can we do just a little bit better? And then ask yourself again and again.
Article by Scott Grajeda
Motivation and Performance
The adage, “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected,” underscores the profound impact of appreciation on human behavior. Indeed, feeling appreciated can serve as a powerful motivator for many people. When individuals perceive that their efforts are valued and recognized, they often develop a stronger sense of loyalty, commitment, and motivation towards their work or relationships. This sense of being valued encourages them to exceed expectations, as the acknowledgment of their efforts brings satisfaction and fulfillment. This positive reinforcement creates a virtuous cycle: individuals continue to put in extra effort because they are confident it will be recognized.
Appreciation also fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie within teams or relationships. When people feel acknowledged and valued, morale improves, and teamwork is encouraged. Individuals are more willing to support each other, enhancing overall team cohesion and performance.
However, it is important to recognize that appreciation, while significant, is not the sole factor influencing motivation and performance. Clear expectations, effective communication, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment also play crucial roles in determining individual satisfaction and performance.
In essence, while appreciation can indeed inspire individuals to go the extra mile, it should be part of a broader strategy to create a supportive environment that fosters healthy relationships and high performance. Remembering to lift each other up is essential. As Helen Keller aptly said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This quote emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mutual support in achieving greater success.
Article by Sylvia Murillo
Safety First!
Diamond Envelope is proud to announce that we have received two significant awards in recognition of our commitment to workplace safety: the “No Lost Time Accidents” Safety Award and the Award for Safety Excellence.
At Diamond Envelope, the safety and well-being of our employees are our top priorities. These awards are a testament to our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe working environment and our dedication to implementing rigorous safety protocols. Our team’s hard work and commitment to safety have been crucial in achieving these milestones.
Receiving the “No Lost Time Accidents” Safety Award highlights our success in preventing workplace incidents that could lead to time away from work. This accomplishment underscores our proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential hazards. The Award for Safety Excellence further recognizes our comprehensive safety programs and our continuous improvement efforts in maintaining the highest safety standards.
“We are extremely proud of these achievements,” said Aracely Aguilera Senior Director of Human Resources/Safety. “They reflect the collective efforts of our entire team to prioritize safety in every aspect of our operations. Ensuring a safe workplace is not just a policy but a core value at
Diamond Envelope.”
These awards reinforce our commitment to safety and motivate us to continue striving for excellence in all areas of our operations. We extend our gratitude to all our employees for their firm dedication and contribution to making Diamond Envelope
a safer place to work.
Aracely Aguilera
Senior Director of Human Resources