MFS Investment Management

MFS understands the psyche of the investor. In 1924, MFS started the first mutual fund. In 1982, it was among the first to sell 401(k) plans. Today, MFS, in partnership with Bowne, is the leader in presenting clear choices for 401(k) investors.

Competition among 401(k) investment managers is intense. An employer's selection of a 401(k) provider can turn on whether the company presents investment choices in a way that helps employees understand the choices and make decisions easily.

MFS approached Bowne with this challenge: Sharpen the clarity of our 401(k) offering. Streamline our proposal system. Eliminate manual assembly. Create attractive proposals that can be personalized and customized. Bowne offered MFS a Web-to-print system to create clear, customized materials, while cutting costs significantly. When MFS receives an inquiry from an investment professional, the request comes directly to Bowne via the Web. A kit is created specifically for the investment professional that includes tailored text, images and charts based on company preferences and fund selection. The four-color kits are printed on-demand and arrive in the hands of the customer within 48 hours.

The litmus test was acceptance among brokers, who can choose to sell 401(k) plans from MFS' competitors on any given day. As a result of this new process, broker requests doubled at MFS. And 401(k) sales volume is on track to triple. MFS' Web-to-print system is the latest feature of a longstanding relationship with Bowne that includes compliance work, translation and fulfillment.