Toshiba Acquires Ohio Dealers
December 14, 2007
Continuing with its strategy of growing market share through expansion
into previously untapped markets, Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS) announced the acquisition of Copier Sales MBM Inc. and ImagePro
Ltd., based in Akron, Ohio and Cleveland respectively. The two
companies were both authorized Toshiba dealers prior to the acquisition
and merged earlier this year. This acquisition marks the 52nd dealer
acquisition for TBS since the inception of the company’s business
expansion plan.
“Toshiba’s relationship with Copier Sales goes back more than two
decades, so it is especially thrilling to have them become an official
member of the Toshiba family through this acquisition,” said Wayne
Wilkinson, vice president/general manager, TBS. “Copier Sales and
ImagePro both are exceptional dealerships with a strong reputation for
outstanding customer service and support, so when we considered
expanding our direct channel into the key metropolitan markets of Akron
and Cleveland, there was no better choice. We look forward to
significant growth in this key strategic market.”
Demonstrating Copier Sales’ outstanding customer service, the
dealership has earned the coveted Toshiba ProMasters Award, recognizing
technical service and customer support excellence, for nine consecutive
years. Previous co-owners Scott Baldwin and Bill Salm now serve as
president and vice president of Sales, respectively. Gary Miller,
Copier Sales founder, recently retired.
“Both Copier Sales and ImagePro have attained great market success
through our partnership with Toshiba over the years,” said Baldwin.
“Through this acquisition, we’ve married the best of technology and
personal service to continue to provide our customers with the most
comprehensive level of service in Northeast Ohio.”
About Copier Sales MBM Inc. and ImagePro Ltd.
Copier Sales was founded in 1971 by Gary Miller and has sold and
serviced Toshiba and Océ office equipment from its Akron, Ohio
headquarters since that time. ImagePro Ltd. was founded in 1999 by
Gary Miller and Bill Salm, Jr. as an expansion of Copier Sales. The
company is headquartered in Cleveland, and was originally established
to offer both Océ and Sharp manufactured technology to complement the
company’s long-standing Toshiba relationship.
