ImageMark President Walter Payne and Executive Vice President Karen Kaufman (front, center) with members of the ImageMark team and Chamber representatives (front row, from left) Montcross Area President Ted Hall and Board Chair Melia Lyerly of Lyerly Agency and Gaston Regional President and CEO Jeff Sandford.
ImageMark Business Services went all out for the Montcross Area and Gaston Regional Chambers of Commerce when the company hosted a networking reception at its west Gastonia facility, and Chamber members flocked to the event in huge numbers. They were rewarded with tours of the immaculate 130,000-square-foot digital printing facility, mounds of delicious Mexican food, cold beverages and warm conversations among old friends and new business contacts.
It was an evening to remember as members of the two Chambers came together for the event called “Network After Work” at the Montcross Area Chamber and “Business After Hours” at the Gaston Regional Chamber.
ImageMark President Walter Payne welcomed the large crowd and spoke briefly about the company he purchased in 1996 as a small traditional print shop and renamed ImageMark. Through innovation and acquisitions, the company has grown rapidly and has been selected by Kodak as a demonstration site to show customers from around the world its state-of-the-art digital printing technology in a real-life working environment.
ImageMark Business Services Inc. executives has announced the acquisition of Hickory, NC-based Catawba Direct Marketing Solutions. Effective Aug. 31, 2015, ImageMark’s portfolio of solutions will expand with new technologies and direct mail expertise.
ImageMark is a customized content marketing and print company that creates impactful solutions for clients in various industries including health care, automotive aftermarket and higher education. The near century-old company specializes in store fronts, fulfillment, printing services, direct mail and web services.
“This acquisition was a business decision that was the right move for both companies,” said ImageMark President Walter Payne. “The mailing technology and solutions that ImageMark will be gaining from Catawba Direct Marketing Solutions will allow us to expand our offerings to clients and continue to meet and exceed their needs.”
Catawba Direct Marketing Solutions has been in business for more than 25 years providing print, mail and digital services to its clients.
“Having worked with Walter Payne of ImageMark for many years, I knew he and his company were the right fit when considering who we would sell to,” said L.F. Miller, president of Catawba Direct Marketing Solutions. “I am confident that the ImageMark team will provide impeccable service and solutions with a trusted team of professionals.”
With this acquisition, ImageMark will add 10 jobs to its existing 62-person staff, effective immediately, and transition all services to its Gastonia location. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The Charlotte Hornets announced today that the organization has entered into a multi-year agreement with Gastonia, N.C.-based ImageMark Business Services Inc. to serve as the official signage partner of the Charlotte Hornets.
As the official signage partner of the Hornets, ImageMark will be responsible for the print production and installation of all signs, banners and branding graphics both inside and outside of Time Warner Cable Arena for Hornets games and arena events. This partnership also includes ImageMark’s ability to utilize Hornets marks and logos, advertising in the Hornets’ game-night program and hospitality elements.
“We are proud to welcome ImageMark to the Hornets family,” said Hornets President & COO Fred Whitfield. “We are excited to work with a local company that has a proven track record of both quality production and unmatched customer service.”
“ImageMark has served clients nationwide with a variety of communication technologies, but it’s simply thrilling to bring our expertise home to Charlotte and showcase our capabilities for fans, businesses and our hometown team,” said Walter Payne, president of ImageMark Business Services Inc. “We are proud of this partnership with the Charlotte Hornets and look forward to raising the bar.”
About Hornets Sports & Entertainment
Hornets Sports & Entertainment owns the Charlotte Hornets and operates Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena. The Charlotte Hornets are a member of the NBA’s Southeast Division. Owned by NBA Legend Michael Jordan, the Hornets organization strives to deliver a relentless attack on the court, an unmatched experience in the stands and a positive impact throughout the community. The name of the city’s original NBA team from 1988-2002, the Hornets moniker returned to Charlotte in May 2014, uniting the rich history of NBA basketball in the Carolinas. Time Warner Cable Arena is the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas, hosting over 150 sporting events, concerts and family shows annually. For more information, please visit hornets.com or timewarnercablearena.com.
About ImageMark Business Services Inc.
The 90-year-old company offers customized content marketing and print-related services to companies committed to improving return on investment in marketing initiatives. ImageMark has built a reputation for being the Southeast’s premier web-based printing partner to meet demanding marketing needs through its technological capabilities. ImageMark serves national and international corporations. For more information, visit imagemarkonline.com.
Media Contacts:
For Hornets: Mike Cristaldi, 704-688-8866, mcristaldi@hornets.com
For ImageMark: Crystal Emerick, ASPIRE Communications, 704-361-5230
cemerick@aspirecommunications.org
GASTONIA, N.C. (March 11, 2014) – ImageMark Business Services Inc. executives announced Tuesday, March 11 the 90-year old company has been awarded a three-year contract with the North Carolina-based minor league baseball team, the Charlotte Knights. ImageMark will produce a portion of the team’s printed materials and help enhance the fan experience, including executing a unique fan giveaway to commemorate opening day.
Charlotte Knights printed items including season tickets, game-day programs, schedules and sponsorship banners will be produced by ImageMark’s veteran team of experts utilizing the company’s digital, offset and wide format printing technologies.
“Partnering with the Charlotte Knights is an exciting venture for ImageMark,” said Walter Payne, ImageMark president. “Not only will we be helping the team kick off its inaugural season in the new BB&T Ballpark, we have the opportunity to provide the team with exciting ideas and opportunities to further enhance the fan experience.”
ImageMark earned the contract through a competitive bid process with more than 15 vendors. After sharing pricing details, a plant tour and the ability to bring new ideas to the table; a unanimous decision to engage ImageMark was made.
“ImageMark’s creativity, innovation, and knowledge of the market will certainly enhance the fan experience at BB&T Ballpark,” said Chris Semmens, Charlotte Knights Vice President of Sales. “Everyone will see their superior print work first hand with quality items like the game day programs, pocket schedules, posters, and team photos.”
The Charlotte Knights are the Triple-A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox. The team’s home opener in the brand new BB&T Ballpark in uptown Charlotte takes place on Friday, April 11 against the Norfolk Tides.
About ImageMark Business Services Inc.
The 90-year-old company offers customized content marketing and print-related services to companies committed to improving return on investment in marketing initiatives. ImageMark has built a reputation for being the Southeast’s premier web-based printing partner to meet demanding marketing needs through its technological capabilities. ImageMark serves national and international corporations. For more information,
ImageMark Business Services Inc. is moving to larger quarters in Gaston County and plans to add 10 employees over the next year as the company grows.
The printing company is relocating to Gastonia from Lowell and expects to be in a renovated 130,000-square-foot building by early August. The company gains about 50,000 square feet in the move, says Walter Payne, ImageMark president.
The new plant will be housed in the former Radici Spandex building at 3145 Northwest Blvd. in Gastonia. The current location contains 77,600 square feet and is at 141 Robins St. in Lowell. The two locations are eight miles apart.
ImageMark has 67 full-time employees and 10 part-timers.
Karen Kaufman, ImageMark executive vice president, says the company is adding technology and convincing customers to bring business back to the United States.
“We’re looking for some contractual work from companies that would bring printing back from overseas,” she says. Payne says one contract would bring a contract worth more than $1 million to ImageMark from China.
Those successes are convincing the company to add employees, Payne says.
ImageMark primarily serves businesses with printing, thermography and fulfillment services. It counts several Fortune 500 corporations among its customers.
Last year, the company bought Imperial Printing Products in Charlotte and will eventually merge its products and services under the ImageMark name, Payne says.