Walsworth Strikes Deal to Obtain The Ovid Bell Press

MARCELINE, MO—Walsworth Publishing, based here, has signed a letter of intent to acquire The Ovid Bell Press (OBP) of Fulton, MO. John Bell, CEO of The Ovid Bell Press, posted a letter to customers on the printer's Facebook page, announcing the deal. Terms of the transaction, which is scheduled to close on Dec. 31, were not revealed.

In the letter, Bell told customers there would be no changes in how accounts are serviced. He wrote that under the new ownership, The Ovid Bell Press would be able to grow faster and offer clients added benefits. Bell will remain as CEO of OBP. The full letter can be viewed here.

Walsworth Publishing is among the 50 largest printing companies in the U.S. and top 10 book printers. Started in 1937 by Walsworth brothers Don, Ed and Bill, current leadership is under the second and third generations: Don O. Walsworth, CEO, and his son, Don Walsworth, president. The company, which began printing yearbooks in 1947, operates from administrative offices and printing and binding facilities in Marceline, MO; a prepress facility in Brookfield, MO; a sales and marketing office in Kansas City, MO; and a printing facility in Saint Joseph, MI.

The Donning Company Publishers in Virginia Beach, VA, a specialty book publisher, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walsworth.