DigiCOPY acquires The Print Shop in Black River Falls
By Patrick Lynn
BLACK RIVER FALLS — DigiCOPY, an employee-owned digital printing company based in Stevens Point, announced its acquisition of The Print Shop, a family-owned offset printer in Black River Falls.
The purchase agreement was finalized Sept. 23, with the deal taking effect at midnight Oct. 1.
The acquisition marks a significant expansion for DigiCOPY. The Print Shop has been a major provider for DigiCOPY’s outsourced projects across Wisconsin for the past 15 years, according to Craig Shuler, DigiCOPY’s president and CEO.
“The Print Shop was the largest single print provider for our outsourced projects across the state in the past 15 years,” Shuler said. “It was a great expansion opportunity for us, bringing on their color/half-sheet and coating press, which is the perfect ‘next size up’ beyond our current capabilities at DigiCOPY. Their physical location was also key — halfway between our La Crosse and Eau Claire locations with the ability to serve our other DigiCOPY locations across the state.”
Bill and Kathy Potter founded The Print Shop in 1986 and saw steady growth, culminating in the construction of their current facility in 2000.
“Taking a business you had to learn, surrounding yourself with good people, and growing it to what it has become has been wonderfully satisfying,” Bill Potter said. “To have the respect of customers and other printers and be involved in the community while providing employment to 15 other people is what I am most proud of.”
All 15 employees of The Print Shop will join DigiCOPY, retaining their positions as part of the employee-owned company. The Print Shop will maintain its name and brand, and there will be minimal changes in daily operations, both Shuler and Potter said.
The Print Shop employees will also be integrated into DigiCOPY’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) from their first day, with years of service counted toward the ESOP. Integration efforts have already begun, including representation on the DigiCOPY ESOP team and participation in company events.
“It’s a win-win-win situation for DigiCOPY and The Print Shop,” Shuler said. “It is a case of 1 + 1 = 3. Some of the work they do is better suited for us and some of the work we do is better suited for them. This will create increased efficiencies for both companies.”
Potter expressed confidence in the future of The Print Shop under DigiCOPY’s ownership.
“We met a community need when we started The Print Shop 38 years ago, and we will continue to meet that need following the acquisition by DigiCOPY,” Potter said. “It’s important to us that there will be customer continuity, and we know DigiCOPY will continue the outstanding relationships we built with our customers.”
DigiCOPY was founded in July 2000, with a mission to foster strong relationships in the workplace, marketplace, and community.
The Print Shop, established in 1986 by the Potters, has built a reputation for quality service and products, with a team offering more than 200 years of combined printing experience.