Nationwide Graphics Acquires Premier Assets

HOUSTON—Premier Graphics has new ownership, and it's a very familiar management team that is taking the helm. Nationwide Graphics, led by CEO Carl Norton, acquired the five-division company—formerly known as Master Graphics—in an assets auction conducted by GE Capital.

It was GE Capital that contracted Norton and Jerry Hyde to manage Premier in 2002. Now the individual divisions—The Argus Press, Niles, IL; The Jones Co., Chattanooga, TN; McQuiddy Classic, Nashville, TN; Saint Clair Press, Indianapolis; and Sutherland Printing, Montezuma, IA—will fall under the Nationwide umbrella.

Premier Graphics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 under the name Master Graphics before reorganizing as Premier Print Holdings.

"Our long-term familiarity with Premier Graphics' facilities, their management teams and their customers has been beneficial in our decision-making process," Norton said in a release. "I've always enjoyed working with their employees, and look forward to our success."