Graphic
Enterprises and Visual Edge Technology Merger Completed
Company Targets Leadership Position in Wide Format Imaging and Copying
Solutions Market
March
15, 2004 (North Canton, Ohio). Graphic Enterprises of Ohio, Inc. and
Visual Edge
Technology, a California corporation, two leading national marketers
of copying and printing systems and services, have announced the successful
merger of their companies. The combined Company, named Graphic Enterprises,
Inc., headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, brings together two complementary,
privately owned organizations with highly experienced management teams
and skilled sales and service operations throughout North America. The
consolidated organization will serve over 12,000 accounts in the U.S.
and Canada, marketing to the copier and multifunctional systems segment
and the general imaging, engineering systems and print-on- demand markets
with large format copying products as well as supply agreements, software
support and third party service contracts.
Graphic
Enterprises, Inc. (GEI) will be lead by talented veterans of the imaging
and printing
industry including Austin Vanchieri, Executive Chairman of the Board,
formerly President and CEO of Visual Edge Technology (VET) since 1993
and prior to that a Corporate VP at Xerox. With over twenty years of
experience at Graphic Enterprises, Les Beyeler will retain the position
of President and CEO of the new Company. Additional executive management
talent consists of Mark Lewis, COO, Daryl Miller, CFO and Greg DeMuesy,
VP of Operations, each individual having over twenty years of experience
in the industry.
“The
combination of GEI and VET creates immediate synergies, significant
cost savings and enhanced marketing opportunities in the expanding imaging,
engineering and print-on-demand segments,” said Mr. Vanchieri.“
We are already positioned in a leadership role in these areas and are
aggressively pursuing additional expansion opportunities. This includes
merger and acquisition options and manufacturer alliances such as this
week’s announcement by Kyocera Mita America to appoint Graphic
Enterprises, Inc. as their Master Distributor of wide format products.”
“GEI
and VET have been working together to integrate the operations of both
companies since August of 2003.This pre-merger, joint venture engagement
period solidified the bonds between the individual companies and clearly
underscored our complementary strengths and shared commitment to customer
service,” said Mr. Beyeler.
Graphic
Enterprises Inc. has three operating business units that employ over
275 people: the GEI Wide Format Division, the GEI Office Solutions Division
and the GEI CalGraph Division. This rare combination of wide format
sales leadership, copier solutions expertise and service provider strength
now places GEI in a unique leadership position for growth in the overall
imaging marketplace.
The
Wide Format Division is focused on sales of equipment, software and
consumables to the large format imaging market. It markets the innovative
FotoZoomer brand of products that produce on-demand, photo quality poster
size prints at retail kiosks and commercial printstations.
FotoZoomer received the prized Innovative Digital Product Award from
the Digital Imaging Marketing Association for 2003.
GEI
CalGraph is a leading third party provider of support services for its
partners who specialize in wide format printing solutions. Its North
American operations include on-site support from 92 field technicians,
customer call center, depot center, worldwide parts distribution, installation
and training services.
GEI Office Solutions, with over 70 dedicated sales and support personnel,
operates as a regional reseller of digital connected copiers, color
copiers, printers and multifunctional systems for Konica Minolta, Muratec
and Okidata, focusing on sales and service of these brands in Northeastern
Ohio.
About Graphic Enterprises:
Graphic Enterprises Inc., (GEI) headquartered in North Canton, Ohio,
was founded in 1970 and is a leading worldwide, value added solutions
provider that consists of product development, distribution, service,
and support. The company has separate operating divisions with highly
qualified sales, service and support personnel in the office equipment
and wide format market segments. A dedicated third party service business
unit (GEICalGraph) serves the wide format market and is focused on delivering
the highest quality of service and support for its vendors and customers.
More information can be found on www.geiworldwide.com.
About
Visual Edge Technology:
Visual Edge Technology, (VET) based in California and New York, was
formed in 1986 as a developmental startup and repositioned in 1999 under
present management as a national marketer in the wide format copier
segment. Through strategic acquisitions including K&E Engineering
Systems, which formed the core of VET’s business, the company
grew to become one of the largest dealers in the market with over 2,000
customers by the time of its merger with Graphic Enterprises.