Two Kentucky office supply companies with some managed print services (MPS expertise are merging.
Elizabethtown’s Kerr Office Group and the Louisville area’s Office Environment Company made a joint announcement, stating that Kerr will acquire Office Environment. Financial details were not disclosed.
Kerr, which provides Canon copiers and services, says the deal will strengthen its footprint in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. “Office Environment Company is a Haworth dealer that will provide an excellent platform upon which to grow our contract furniture business throughout Kentucky,” said Brian K. Kerr, president of Kerr Office Group.
The company already boasts offices in Elizabethtown, Campbellsville and Hopkinsville Kentucky.
Kerr added that his company will be able to provide Office Environment’s customers with broader services, including Canon copiers, various janitorial services, managed network and print services capabilities, and residential interior design and furnishings.
Office Environment has a long history within the region, originally opening its doors in 1907 and continuing as a family owned and operated organization for more than 100 years. Tricia Burke, the company’s president, says the deal will provide opportunities to Office Environment’s customers and employees. “We will be an even stronger independent dealer with the additional capabilities that this merger brings us. As we all know, the only constant is change. I feel very positive about this new direction," she said.
Office Equipment Mergers, Acquisitions
Consolidation has been rampant in the office equipment arena as demand has shrunk within the market. For instance, HP Inc. recently acquired European office equipment dealer Apogee for roughly US$500 million. Likewise, Xerox’s GIS division has been buying up partners to close holes in its sales and coverage portfolio.
On a regional level, Centric Business Systems bought out Richmond, Virginia's Webster Integrated Technologies, combining a managed print services provider with an office equipment dealer.
A few more deals we’ve tracked over the last year and a half include:
- Global Imaging Systems (GIS) continues to make acquisitions in the sector.
- Private equity firm Sentinel Capital Partners acquired UBEO Business Services in April 2018.
- Sharp bought a number of assets from Arista Business Imaging Solutions.
- QRX Technology Group acquired Kerr Norton at the end of 2016.
- Loffler Companies bought out Copier Business Solutions in late 2016.
