Written by Mark Hostutler - Editor, American Community Journals

For Christina Wilson — the CEO of Conshohocken-based East West Label, a trusted service provider for the retail industry that specializes in premium produce labeling — the family business has been a constant in her life.

The Collegeville native fondly remembers working for the company her grandfather, Bill Wilson Sr., founded in Sharon Hill in 1973, then moved to Conshohocken three years later.

“I grew up answering the phones and taking orders,” said Wilson, whose path to leadership was paved with an education from Duquesne University, where she double majored in supply chain management and marketing. “I guess it wasn’t expected that I would one day take over the business, but I don’t have any siblings, and I was always around the business. I saw my father, Chris, and my uncle, Bill Jr., grow the business. I’m very family-oriented, so I wanted the company to stay in the family.”

“My grandfather sold price-marking labels for a company named North South Sales when he decided to start his own business, and that’s why he named it East West Label,” said Wilson.

East West Label originally found its niche, manufacturing mushroom labels for farmers in Berks and Chester counties. In 1991, it purchased Manor Graphics in Phoenixville and soon began pre-labeling clamshells (the produce containers designed for fruit packaging) for blueberry farmers in southern New Jersey.

A half-century after its founding, East West Label’s work can be found on an array of products, including mushrooms, blueberries, breads, grape tomatoes, baked goods, and cheesesteak supplies. Every aspect of a client’s label production journey, from concept to completion, is done in-house.

“Our experienced art department collaborates closely with clients to craft labels that they’ll be proud of and excited about,” said Wilson, whose business employs 33 people. “We understand the importance of an eye-catching design that reflects the client’s brand identity, and our team is committed to delivering precisely that.”

Once the design is finalized, the pre-press department steps in to optimize it for the printing process, ensuring the highest quality output. East West Label’s state-of-the-art production facility is equipped with cutting-edge printing technology, allowing it to bring labels to life with impeccable precision and attention to detail.

As East West Label continues to thrive, Wilson is quick to credit her banking partner, Firstrust Bank, for its role in the company’s recent success. East West Label’s relationship with Firstrust began in 2018, when Wilson met Mark McLaughlin, a Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager at the bank, at a networking event. What began as a simple connection turned into a perfect fit, thanks to Firstrust’s local approach and customer-first mentality.

“Firstrust truly understands the needs of small businesses and, given its history, family-owned businesses,” said Wilson.

The bank, the largest family-owned financial institution in the Greater Philadelphia region, boasts a history of shared experiences that enable it to relate to the challenges and opportunities faced by family-run companies.

“Our relationship with Christina is typical of our relationship with other family-owned businesses,” said McLaughlin. “The family-owned spirit we’ve had here for 90-plus years resonates with our clients.”

“Banks are always getting eaten by bigger banks, so remaining family-owned for almost a century is very rare,” said Wilson. “Our family motto is Service Separates, and Firstrust is an example of that. The only way a family business can survive is by being service-oriented and offering a personal touch. I respond to customers calling me at midnight, and Mark does the same for me.”

Learn more about how Firstrust Bank supports local businesses like East West Label, helping them to grow and thrive.