Minuteman Press of Berkeley Announces New Merger

In a recently completed merger, Minuteman Press of Berkeley acquired two long time East Bay printing companies: Hunza Graphics and Anto Printing, enabling Minuteman to secure new equipment and new client lists. Minuteman continues its operations in a spacious factory and warehouse located at 1101 5th Street, just off Gilman in northwest Berkeley. Since most of the staff were retained in the merger, Fred Fassett, President and CEO of Minuteman, commented: "Many faces that Hunza and Anto customers are used to seeing are now welcomed as part of Minuteman Berkeley operation."

Fassett is pleased that the transition has been smooth for both employees and clients and that all projects continue to be met with the attention and efficiency expected by their customers. Minuteman will continue to "build rapport with newer and repeat customers," many of whom are the backbone of the Bay Area's commercial and non-profit communities, such as the University of California Athletics Department, Cal Band, The City of Berkeley, the Center for Independent Living, The Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, the Kala Arts Institute, Cal Shakes, as well as numerous other businesses, authors, and entrepreneurs.

All three businesses began several decades ago in the nexus of commercial shops surrounding the U.C. Berkeley campus. They shared a tradition of mutual cooperation, helping one another get started, while each earned a reputation for providing excellent print service products and customer satisfaction. In addition to high-quality printing services, Minuteman is proud of its status as a Certified Green Business. It specializes in state-of-the-art digital color printing, graphic design and creative book services, book printing and binding, and direct mail marketing and database management services.

Now celebrating 40 years since founding the firm, Fassett, who trained at the Rhode Island School of Design, has been a prominent figure of the Bay Area's printing, publishing and business communities, often providing pro-bono services for community causes and events. In 1972, he launched the business under the moniker Captain Copy near Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, occasionally dressing as the superhero "Captain Copy" in local parades and promotional stunts. With the coming of the desktop publishing revolution - which shook up the entire graphics and printing industry - Captain Copy transitioned into General Printing in 1984. In 2008, Fassett bought the local franchise of Minuteman Press International, and expanded his operation to the current 5th street location.