KARL RENWANZ

When High Definition finally hits it big, Karl Renwanz will be ready and waiting. As a matter of fact, if floppy disks make a comeback akin to bell-bottom pants, Karl Renwanz will be ready -- but perhaps not waiting. Renwanz and his growing conglomerate of high-tech, mass-volume, full-service, multi-format media manufacturing facilities are ready for just about any request. And he's preparing for yet another expansion.

"We have been approved to build a 47,000 square foot facility next to our existing 43,000 square foot manufacturing plant," Renwanz told Imagine. The estimated $5 million dollar project will offer what he describes as "more of the same" services, including video duplication and CD and DVD replication. The new facility will augment the services of High Speed Video in Southborough, MA, one of four in the Renwanz family of companies, which also molds and manufacturers its own discs (see side bar for this complicated procedure). "We have just completed negotiations to purchase another facility somewhere on the east coast," he revealed in our recent interview.

The new building venture follows the 2002 purchase of Video Labs Corporation in Rockville, Maryland and the co-founding of Transfer West Duplication in Las Vegas, Nevada. Renwanz and wife Sondra started Boston-based Video Transfer Inc. in 1986 from their basement in Framingham. Sondra ran the business for the first 8 1/2 years of operation, with husband Karl joining her in 1994. She still helps the business by overseeing special projects. In 1996 they built Karl's "dream child," High Speed Video, to handle mass production of analog and digital video products, and later, optical discs.

While High Speed Video impresses with sheer volume, and the self-proclaimed "Class 1000 Clean Room," Video Transfer impresses with the breadth and the depth of their all-shapes, all-sizes ability to serve.

"Hundreds of local people use Video Transfer for everything from time coding to disc cloning to DVD authoring. Our service is done right, it's high quality, and available 24 hours a day," pitches Renwanz. Video Transfer has grown on the promise to accommodate "every format you've ever dreamed of." Geography contributes to the success of the companies as well; Renwanz explains that Boston is successful due to the proliferation of inventive people pushing the envelope, "from the corporate world to entertainment, the creative people of New England make it possible to thrive."

One frontier unique to New England is Video Transfer's sought-after DVD authoring services. Clients come in with a range of material ready for DVD. Some have only their tapes in hand. Some come with comprehensive flow charts and story boards. Video Transfer can do everything from organizing a DVD menu, navigation, and graphic display to developing custom-designed packaging to suit extremely unique needs. And then the products can be mass-produced and delivered by High Speed. Pat McDonald, operations manager at Video Transfer, reports that the two DVD authoring suites are booked 140 percent. "We know what we're doing until August," he says. They have between 40 and 75 cinematic titles in the development pipeline. In addition, they produce about 5 to 10 corporate products a week.

DVD authoring clients range from cinematic (the Wilco documentary, I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART and Jan Egleson's collected works, for example) to rock (Jimi Hendrix remixes) to corporate to independent filmmakers and new media producers.

Video Transfer has even been purchasing and distributing film and video titles, with a specialty in "Hong Kong Cinema." A master of plugging the versatility of his business, Renwanz assures, "If you have a product you want to bring to market, come to us and we'll find a way." (There is another story here, that of independent distribution, which Imagine will tackle at a later date. Karl Renwanz is leading this parade as well. Watch for it. PUB)

With a blend of both eagerness and aplomb, Renwanz reveals the secret to his success when asked to identify his competitors. "We are the only DVD manufacturer in New England --- however plenty of people take work to Canada, California, and Asia." Renwanz considers the question again, "Let's see, Technicolor, Deluxe maybe. It's pretty assertive to say they are my competitors. We do 25 to 30 million discs a year. They might do 250 million a year. They'd be humored about this comparison; sometimes we lose jobs to them and sometimes we get them because our operation allows for intense customer service."

More than once Renwanz has attracted customers from what he calls "the big ones" because when the pressing plants are busy, they go to the back of the line. "If they aren't Fox or Disney, they can be told to wait 5 to 7 weeks. That happens every year," he says.

A noted leader among his peers, Renwanz is past president of the American Video Duplication Association and was honored as a TapeDisc Business Annual Industry All-Star in 2001. He has served on the boards of many industry-related organizations such as the Massachusetts Broadcasters. He describes the group as a watchdog of radio and television interests. Board involvement keeps him at the forefront of transactions and trends related to his business and the promotion of media production at large.

Renwanz leads by knowing his field and by trusting his competent staff. Long time associate Pat McDonald credits Renwanz for creating a working environment that fosters both freedom and responsibility. Says McDonald: "We're not some top-heavy corporation. We're a cowboy outfit. We are entrepreneurial, customer and technology-driven." McDonald thrives on being not only able but encouraged to examine and solve problems on his own. And he extends that same credibility to his staff.

Wayne Peterson, plant manager at High Speed Video, describes Renwanz as a unique blend of business person and engineering person. "He has a good handle on both disciplines, which is rare," says Peterson. Seven years ago Renwanz recruited Peterson with a business plan indicating significant growth and expansion. "He charted that course and we are pretty much on track today," Peterson adds.

Being king of New England media manufacturing was not necessarily on Renwanz's mind when he started his career. From 1969 to 1971 Renwanz sought stardom as a radio announcer. "I had my shot and both listeners told me I was great," he jokes, drawing attention to his rich, full-bodied voice. "I wish I had then the radio voice I do now." Renwanz has turned down more than one voice over request preferring to hand off the work to the New Englanders who make their living at it.

After significant success in television broadcasting, working for both WGBH and WHDH Channel 7, a member of congress approached Renwanz with "what I thought was the last job of my life." It almost was, though not for the reason he thought. In August 1993 he headed to Slovakia to establish a non-government broadcast station. A mere four months into the job, Renwanz experienced what he calls a "gentlemen's coup." A few men expressed their difference of opinion with the need for mass communication by the people, for the people. "It got a little sticky. I had to leave the country."

His adventure left him wondering just where to go next. Back home, Video Transfer was blooming at every turn, so he decided to commit to it full time. He left television "to the chagrin of a few folks. They thought 'this guy is crazy.'"

Four businesses later, skeptics are shaking their heads at Karl's ability to balance technology and business. In the end, Renwanz describes what keeps him going: "Having control of all elements is the only way to fly. When you have control, your success or failure is dependent on your performance and your ability to work at the levels you've established as the customer service goal." Well, when the goal is to never say no, that sounds pretty near impossible…almost as unlikely as the return of bell-bottom pants.

Erin Trahan is a frequent contributor to IMAGINE. She is a writer and non-profit consultant specializing in women's and girl's issues and independent media. She is also known for laughing much too loud in movie theatres.