Imagine! Print Solutions Acquires Pair of NC Firms

MINNEAPOLIS—Imagine! Print Solutions has strengthened its holdings with the acquisition of two Charlotte, NC-based providers of print and marketing solutions, including renown firm Classic Graphics. All combined, Imagine! Print Solutions will approach $300 million in annual sales.

The Classic Graphics transaction was officially called a merger. Terms of the deals were not released, but Imagine! and Classic will maintain their individual identities.

In a separate deal, Imagine! picked up Creative Marketing Solutions, a $20 million performer. According to the Minneapolis Business Journal, Imagine! will combine the offices and operations of Creative Marketing Solutions into Classic Graphics.

"The cultures and visions of our two companies are virtually identical," said Bob Lothenbach, president and founder of Imagine! Print Solutions, in describing Classic Graphics. "We share a philosophy of providing highly responsive and flexible service to our clients, a passion for print and a belief in team work.

"Uniting the two companies creates a stronger entity. Blending the strengths and location of our company with those of Classic creates an optimal service and distribution model and leverages manufacturing and purchasing power for more competitive offerings to clients. Most important, customers of both companies will be served by one of the strongest graphics companies in the nation."

David Pitts, president of Classic Graphics, noted that combining Classic with Imagine! provides clients access to wider and more sophisticated service offerings. Pitts will remain as president of Classic in the combined company.