Walsworth, a family-owned printer headquartered in Marceline, Missouri, will acquire Ripon Printers on Dec. 31, 2019. The merger joins Ripon with a strong, growing company that features diversified print and digital capabilities as well as a commitment to customer service excellence.
Since the mid-1860s, Ripon Printers has served the printing needs of this community and beyond. When the Lyke family purchased the company in 1962, the vision was to become a world-class commercial printer and that goal was achieved. The acquisition will provide even more opportunities for Ripon’s stakeholders, due in part to the many commonalities that exist between the two organizations.
Most importantly, the Walsworth family fosters a company culture similar to that of the Lyke family. Each places integrity, honesty and compassion for their customers and employees above all other business goals. “When evaluating who to partner with, we felt comfortable choosing Walsworth because we believe they will take care of our customers and employees,” states Ripon CFO, Andy Lyke.
Walworth’s leadership team further believes that the acquisition of Ripon Printers is consistent with the company’s strategy for growth. The purchase will augment their catalog manufacturing operations, which will increase Walsworth’s market share in that space.
Over the past decade, Walsworth has been steadily growing its market share in key print segments. The company purchased IPC in St. Joseph, Michigan in 2010, and in 2012 acquired The Ovid Bell Press in Fulton, Missouri. Both facilities are key operations, as Walsworth expects Ripon Printers to be as well. The company has made significant investments in people, capital and technology and its goal is to continue to grow across all locations.
The printing facility in Ripon will remain open as usual but will be branded as Walsworth – Ripon over the next several months. Media inquiries may be directed to the VP of Marketing and Communications, Kristin Mateski at kristin.mateski@walsworth.com.
About Walsworth
Walsworth is a top-five book printer, a top-10 magazine printer and is the only family-owned printer of yearbooks. Started in 1937 by Don Walsworth, current leadership is under the second and third generations: Don O. Walsworth, CEO, and his son, Don Walsworth, president. The company operates from administrative offices and printing and binding facilities in Marceline, Missouri; a prepress facility in Brookfield, Missouri; a sales and marketing office in Overland Park, Kansas; and a printing facility in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, Walsworth owns the Donning Company Publishers, a specialty book publisher, as well as The Ovid Bell Press, a printer of journals and magazines located in Fulton, Missouri.
