M&A Roundup: Novatech, WiZiX, Advanced Business Systems and Braden Business Systems Swing Deals

Transaction activity in the office technology dealer space picked up again this week in a major way, with four announced deals.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Novatech scooped up Copy & Camera of Lafayette, Louisiana. WiZiX of Roseville, California, has acquired the assets and customer base of Edwards Office Systems Inc., based in Sacramento. Advanced Business Systems of Moline, Illinois, purchased Office Specialists of Galesburg, Illinois. Lastly, Braden Business Systems of Fishers, Indiana, obtained Cook County Photography Company of Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

Novatech Grows Southeast

With Copy & Camera, a managed print service provider, joining the organization, Novatech continues its expansion into new markets as well as offering additional value to its existing customer base.

“We are thrilled to partner with a strong company like Copy & Camera to enlarge our Southeast footprint and have a strong base from which to build in Louisiana,” said Novatech CEO Dan Cooper.

Copy & Camera will continue to operate out of its own offices in the Louisiana cities of Lafayette and Houma, along with Beaumont, Texas, as well as retain the staff and Copy & Camera name.

Former CEO of Copy & Camera, Jeff Landgrave, will become president of Novatech’s Louisiana market. Kathy Blanchard will continue in her role as general manager of the Copy & Camera operations.

Founded in 1998 in Memphis before moving its headquarters to Nashville in 2004, Novatech is continuing with plans to expand its footprint throughout the country. This is the 15th acquisition for Novatech, the seventh in the past two years and third in 2019.

“As we seek to grow throughout the country, we’re reminded of Novatech’s mission to flourish as a team by delivering caring, efficient service and support to our customers and to each other,” Cooper said. “We deliver outstanding equipment and service performance beyond our customers’ expectations, and constantly work to improve our offerings to create a complete managed business environment. That’s what sets us apart from all the rest.”

WiZiX Keeps Busy

For WiZiX, this represents its fourth acquisition since October 2017. Prior acquisitions include Stanton Office Machines of Fresno, Scott Technology Group of Sacramento and Complete Business Systems in Livermore, California. This unprecedented growth and acquisition activity have rapidly established WiZiX as a major player in the office technology market throughout the Central and Northern California regions.

WiZiX President Gary Johnson stated “The purchase of Edwards Office Systems is very exciting! Strategically it strengthens our market presence in the Greater Sacramento Area, without the burden of additional overhead expenses. Edwards has an excellent technical staff that will be joining our award winning service team. I am very excited to welcome them and the Edwards customers to WiZiX.”

WiZiX continues to pursue an aggressive growth strategy. It is currently hiring and investing in the growth of its sales and marketing team and is actively pursuing multiple acquisition opportunities.

Jim Kahrs of Prosperity Plus advised Edwards Office Systems in the deal. Prosperity Plus also acted as an adviser to Steve Gerstenberger, Randy Conlon and Trent Pearson, the owners of Office Specialists, throughout the transaction with Advanced Business Systems.

Advanced Business Systems Grows in Illinois

Office Specialists, Inc. (OSI) was established by Conlon and Gerstenberger in November of 1989. What started as a four person operation has grown to 28 employees serving the more than 900-plus customers in West Central Illinois. OSI offers a full line of office supplies, janitorial and break room supplies, office furniture, copy/print products and IT solutions.

Locally owned and operated, Advanced Business Systems has proudly served Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois for over 40 years. ABS employs a staff of experts in print solutions, document solutions, and information technology services.

The staff from OSI will remain in place going forward. When asked about the sale Gerstenberger said, “We are excited to bring the OSI and ABS teams together. We operate under very similar philosophies. Brain (Soucinek), Mark (Parkinson), Barry (Mulvania) and their team have built a great company. I am looking forward to a very successful future for our customers, employees and vendors.”

Braden Targets Chicago Market

Acquiring Cook County Photocopy Company (CCP) enabled Braden Business Systems (BBS) to extend its reach into the Chicago market. The deal means CCP’s customers will have access to quality field service technicians, rapid response times, localized customer service, and the personal touch of a BBS account manager.

“BBS is growing aggressively, and this acquisition represents further illumination of our bright future,” said Erik Braden, managing partner of BBS. “The continued expansion of our customer base in the Chicagoland area means we can positively impact a larger community here in the Midwest and is another step in realizing our vision of what BBS can become. We are honored to serve our Cook County customers.”

Dave Braden, founder of BBS, added “This partnership was a great fit from all perspectives. Like Braden, CCP has been a family-owned operation from the beginning. This familial mentality and strong focus on customer experience mirrors Braden’s philosophy perfectly and has made for a smooth transition for all involved.”

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About Novatech Inc.
Novatech is an award-winning, Managed IT and Print Services provider offering on-site and remote support of network infrastructure and peripherals. Novatech offers free cost analysis so you may easily choose the exact solutions, equipment, accessories and software to meet your needs – within your budget.

About WiZiX Technology Group Inc.
WiZiX Technology Group is owned and operated by Gary Johnson. Founded in 2017, WiZiX is headquartered in Roseville, CA with additional offices in Fresno, Pleasanton and San Jose.

WiZiX’s primary product offerings include Toshiba, Savin, and Lanier MFP’s and Printers. In addition, WiZiX offers a variety of office technology solutions including Production Imaging, Document Management and Managed Print Services. Prior to starting WiZiX, Gary Johnson was for many years the owner and President of Zoom Imaging Solutions, Inc., which was sold in 2012 to Global Imaging Systems, a Xerox company. Zoom Imaging Solutions was one of Northern and Central California’s premier vendors for digital copy, print, and scanning equipment when Johnson departed his position as president in 2016.

About Edwards Office Systems Inc.
Edwards Office Systems in Sacramento, California was owned and operated by Jannie and Edward Chow. Edwards is a full-line Kyocera dealer selling and servicing a full line of copiers, printers, fax and MFP’s.

Edwards has provided their Sacramento Area customers with office equipment, services and document solutions since 1980.

About Prosperity Plus
Prosperity Plus offers a full range of merger and acquisition services. We can represent either the buyer or the seller in a transaction. If you are thinking of selling your business or looking to buy another dealership give us a call. For more information please contact Jim Kahrs at Prosperity Plus Management Consulting Inc., (631) 382-7762 or via email.

About Braden Business Systems
Braden Business Systems is an award-winning office technology solutions provider headquartered in Fishers, Indiana. Founded in 1989, BBS works with companies large and small to optimize business processes, accelerate growth, and drive profits with a robust array of industry-leading equipment, software, and services. Braden maintains a strategic network of partners and has representation in 700-plus locations throughout the entirety of the United States.