As part of the strategic integration of Norwood Promotional Products and BIC Graphic operations, BIC Advertising & Promotional Products (APP) began an evaluation of business opportunities related to the Auburn, Indiana-based Messenger operation in the Fall of 2009. Several options were evaluated, including the sale of the business.
Prairie Capital, an investment firm based in Chicago, Ill., has purchased the funeral stationery operation with the sale closing on June 18, 2010. As Prairie does not have any related businesses, it will continue to operate Messenger in the existing facility in Auburn.
The Messenger team is focused on providing their customers with outstanding service and continuing to be their partner of choice, as they have for the past 97 years. “Messenger has been a successful part of the Norwood organization for many years and we believe that they will continue to thrive under new ownership,” said Nicolas Paillot, CEO of BIC APP.
By divesting the funeral stationery business, BIC APP underscores its commitment to the promotional Products industry. “Our core business is promotional products and this step allows us to purely focus on the process of integrating the operations of Norwood and BIC Graphic,” added Paillot. “As we continue to build on the best practices of each brand, we are confident that our new organization will be the most customer service focused and efficient in the industry.”
About BIC Advertising & Promotional Products
Established in July 2009, BIC Advertising & Promotional Products is a leading global supplier of a wide range of custom-imprinted products to the advertising and promotional products industry. In the United States BIC APP operates under the BIC Graphic USA and Norwood Promotional Products trade names. For more information, visit www.bicgraphic.com.
About Messenger
Proudly serving the funeral industry for over 97 years, Messenger is the leading manufacturer of funeral stationery products including memorial register books, service folders, acknowledgements, prayer cards and laminated bookmarks. Messenger sells exclusively to licensed funeral directors only.
