FERNDALE — As it marks its 60th anniversary, Allied Printing Company of Ferndale is shifting ownership as six of the company’s long-time executives are in the process of purchasing the organization from current owners, chairman Paul Zimmer and CEO Robert Straub.
Joining in the multi-year acquisition plan is Allied president Dave Bader, vice president of finance Margaret Fitzgerald, vice president of administration Elly Chichester, vice president of operations Tony Pelc, and sales executives Jill Straub and Greg Balan. Combined, the new leadership team has served Allied for more than 100 years.
Zimmer and Straub will remain active in their positions with Allied’s succession team. “Our work has been exceedingly fulfilling and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” said Zimmer. “It’s gratifying to know we have a seasoned team in place who will continue to lead the organization into the future.”
“The beauty of this transition is that it lacks the usual changeover period associated with an acquisition from the outside,” said Bader. “This has been and will continue to be a seamless transition for our clients and vendors, and especially our employees.”
Zimmer purchased Allied in 1971 when it was a black and white letterpress shop, and brought in Bob Straub in 1982 to help the company evolve into a color offset printer. For the past six decades, Allied has partnered with clients to create unique cost saving print communication solutions – and more.
Allied has grown from 12 employees and one building in 1971, to its current configuration of 95 employees and four buildings. The company occupies over 100,000 sq. ft. of warehouse, production, and corporate office space in Ferndale.
Allied is a full-service company specializing in color critical offset and digital printing, packaging, direct mail, program management, fulfillment, and web-based marketing services. They have endured as a print industry leader by investing in new equipment, talent and technology, automated processes, unique campaign management tools, and continuing education in the latest methodology. The company excels at problem solving, helping their clients identify efficient methods for managing marketing materials and long-term campaigns. This means a more precise and measurable return on marketing investment – something that every marketing executive must monitor.
Allied draws clients from a variety of industries throughout the Midwest including nonprofit, automotive, technology, financial services, healthcare, higher education, advertising, and marketing agencies.
