Ovation Graphics Acquires Branch-Smith Assets

FORT WORTH, TX—Ovation Graphics purchased substantially all of the business assets of Branch-Smith Printing last month. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As part of its purchase, Ovation Graphics obtained the rights to the Branch-Smith name. The 102-year-old firm had been owned by the Branch family for more than a century.

"We believe there is significant inherent goodwill in the Branch-Smith name, and Ovation is honored to continue to use the Branch-Smith trade name while serving a growing field of clients locally and nationally from our Fort Worth headquarters," said Daniel Hanson, president of Ovation and a Branch-Smith employee for more than 14 years prior to the acquisition.

Branch-Smith had 2010 gross sales of $15.3 million and currently has 80 employees. The company specializes in providing commercial printing, binding and mailing services to a broad range of national publishers of association journals, catalogs, city magazines, business-to-business magazines, corporate newsletters, special-interest periodicals, and academic publications and books, as well as producing large-format packaging and retail marketing products.

Ovation is remodeling its 63,000-square-foot office and plant facilities at 120 St. Louis Avenue just south of downtown Fort Worth.

Branch-Smith claims tenure as the longest-running continuously ISO-certified commercial printer in the United States, as well as being the only commercial printer in the United States—and one of only 92 companies nationwide—ever awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. In addition, the company holds Forest Stewardship Council certification.