The print division of Greenville Office Supply has been acquired by “longtime friendly competitor” TruColor.
Conversations about the deal first began in early 2018, as GOS Owner, President, and CEO Charles Scales began to consider a business restructure to focus on a handful of growing business sectors.
Both TruColor and GOS have similar clientele and company cultures, and this acquisition presents a “significant opportunity for TruColor to increase its sales while continuing to grow and reinvest in the company.”
TruColor is a commercial printer with quick printer roots, meaning it has the capabilities of a commercial printer, “but with a far faster and efficient turnaround,” according to the company. To cater to its newly expanded customer list, TruColor will bring in another offset press, platemaker, digital press (with clear, white, and metallic toner), and binding equipment.
TruColor will onboard all GOS printshop employees, including its veteran printshop manager of twenty years. TruColor stated it was “committed to creating a seamless transition as they work with GOS customers, ensuring the same high level of service, and ease of order placement and fulfillment.”
Sallie Gold, owner Ray Truluck’s daughter, became COO of TruColor in 2016, with plans to assume her father’s role upon his retirement. Reflecting on the sale, she said: “It would have been easy for Charles to strike a better deal with another company for his printshop, or he could have shut its doors completely. Charles came to Ray because he cares so much for his employees and his customers, and he knows that TruColor shares those same values.”
Ray Truluck himself added: “With this acquisition, it was supremely important that we offered employment to all GOS printshop employees. Customers should continue to get exactly what they expect. We hope to provide a higher level of printing expertise with our expanded sales force.”
As TruColor looks ahead to the new year, the company plans to seek an additional space to better accommodate its growing business and allow the purchase of new equipment. It has grown its salesforce as 2018 draws to a close, and looks to grow more into the first quarter of 2019.
“With this business move, we are narrowing our focus on our fastest-growing sectors: janitorial supplies, promotional items and apparel, furniture, coffee service and of course office supply products,” said Scales. “Our business has been a part of Greenville for 50 years, and with my three sons working here, we are committed to another 50.”
