Hutchison Allgood Joins Forces with Graphic Visual Solutions

The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has announced that Hutchison Allgood Company, headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., (HA) has joined Graphic Visual Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., (Graphic) to create one of the largest and strongest printing and graphic communication companies in the region. Both companies are market leaders and together bring more than 100 years of experience and success in the printing industry in the Triad market. The combined company will have annual sales in excess of $25 million and nearly 150 employees.

NAPL, serving as Graphic’s strategic M&A advisor, counseled on the transaction price and structure and prepared the letter of intent for the transaction. Senior Vice President John Hyde, head of NAPL’s Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Team stated, "The transaction is a great example of two leading companies coming together in a way that creates a successful transition from ownership for Al [Hutchison, President of Hutchison Allgood] and his partners while maximizing value for both companies."

In addition to the extensive current resources of the two companies, the combined company will invest more than $5 million in expanded facilities and new technology and equipment as it broadens its capabilities in High Point, N.C., to best meet the changing needs of its clients. All current Hutchison Allgood employees have been retained and will be an important part of the combined operation. Together, the combined company will offer its customers the most diverse and comprehensive printing, packaging, communication, and visual solutions in the industry. These solutions include printing, labels & packaging, digital printing, wide-format graphics, direct mail, kitting & fulfillment, and 1:1 personalized communication marketing with data and response analytics.

Hutchison will continue to lead the Hutchison Allgood location in Winston-Salem under the direction of Bryan T. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphic Visual Solutions, who will lead the combined companies. Hutchison Allgood will continue to operate at its current facility in Winston-Salem for approximately one year, but ultimately will be consolidated into expanded facilities at the Graphic Visual Solutions campus nearby in High Point’s Piedmont Centre Business Park. The consolidation will result in 50 jobs being brought to High Point.

Hall said, "Graphic has been blessed with significant growth during our 27-year history. We are extremely excited and honored to join forces with one of the most respected names in the printing industry. Hutchison Allgood has been an industry leader for over 81 years. By combining operations, we will offer enhanced capabilities and solutions to our customers that will be among the best in our industry. Combining with Hutchison Allgood was perfect because of the similar culture, ethics and the common commitment to our employees and customers."

"We are excited about the opportunity to combine our resources with those of Graphic Visual Solutions in order to provide expanded capacity as well as new formats and product lines to our many customers," said Hutchison. "I am certain that the core values which have guided Hutchison Allgood since its inception in the Triad some 81 years ago are the same ones we admire today at Graphic. We see a bright future ahead for our combined organizations, and will be working very hard to ensure a continuation of our commitment to our customers' success and expanding professional growth opportunities for our employees."

Hall sees this acquisition and new investment in equipment as a means of providing even better quality, service and printing capabilities to customers of Hutchison Allgood and Graphic. Customers of both companies will now be served by one of the strongest privately held printing and graphic communication companies in the Southeast.

"Our commitment to investing in the best technology and team members in the industry will provide continuous improvement in service, value, and quality to our customers" said Hall. "We are excited to have the highly talented and professional employees of Hutchison Allgood, who bring over 1,000 years of combined printing experience, join our already outstanding team at Graphic. We are also looking forward to the opportunity to service the printing and packaging needs of each of the customers of the combined operation."

Hall adds that Graphic is open to future acquisitions if the fit is right and if it will make the company a more valuable resource for its customers.