TOSHIBA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MAKES ITS 32ND DEALER ACQUISITION WITH NEW YORK-BASED BECKER BUSINESS SYSTEMS
IRVINE , California ( Jan 26, 2005 ) :
Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS) today announced it has made its 32nd dealer acquisition with Becker Business Systems, a leading independent dealer of office equipment headquartered in Newburgh, N.Y. Becker Business Systems will be merged with Business Methods, a TBS subsidiary headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and the combined company will be named Toshiba Business Solutions New York (TBS-NY).
Steven Sauer, president of Business Methods, will head TBS-NY, with Becker Business System's President and CEO, Tom Becker, taking on the role of executive vice president. The latest acquisition is a part of TABS' objective to support Toshiba Business Solutions' market growth strategy by targeting large, independent and often competitive dealers in leading U.S. markets.
"Becker Business Systems has long been aware of the solid reputation of Toshiba products and dealers, and we are very proud to be joining the Toshiba team," said Becker. "Through this acquisition and merger, our company and our customers will benefit from the vast resources being a Toshiba partner allows."
Becker Business Systems has been an independent dealer of Konica Minolta digital copiers and multifunctional systems for 20 years. Over the last two decades, Becker Business Systems has earned dozens of distinguished awards for its service, sales and marketing. The dealership currently employs 26 professionals.
"Becker Business Systems is a highly respected dealership and we are very excited to join forces and expand into the Hudson Valley. I welcome this office and its employees into our organization as we become TBS-NY and continue our aggressive acquisition and expansion strategy," said Sauer. "We expect this to be a seamless transition for Becker clients and look forward to building new relationships."
TBS' most recent dealer acquisitions include McRae Office Solutions in the Carolinas, Allied Office Solutions in Kansas City, Mo., and Stringer Business Systems and Wagers Business Systems, both in St. Paul, Minn
"The competitive conversion of Becker Business Systems will be a great benefit to our goals of market growth in the greater New York area," said Wayne Wilkinson, vice president of business operation for TBS. "Becker Business Systems has a great reputation and long history of success and we’re pleased to have them as a Toshiba partner."
About Business Methods
Business Methods was founded in 1957 as an office equipment company. Today the company focuses on copier sales with market solutions in three locations covering 28 counties in Western and Central New York. In addition to multifunctional printers and high-end management solutions, Business Methods has another division called AV Solutions that markets innovative, integrated audio-visual equipment. The company’s legacy is built on strong business values, with an emphasis on real client satisfaction and phenomenal employees.
About Toshiba America Business Solutions
Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS has four divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division, Toner Products Division and Document Solutions Engineering Division; and Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), which operates a national network of wholly owned subsidiaries.
Named the most favored manufacturer in seven of the past eight years by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are markers for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Copier Manufacturer of the Year" by the Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in 2004, 2002, 2001, 1998 and 1997, was named to the CIO 100 for being one of the top 100 "agile" companies in the world in 2004, and received the CIO Web Business award for its leading edge intranet site in 2000, 1999 and 1998.
TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world's 62nd largest company in terms of sales. Ranked by Fortune magazine as the 8th Most Admired Electronics Company in America and 9th Most Admired Electronics Company in the World, Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2003 was approximately $53 billion.
For more information on Toshiba copier, facsimile, multifunction printing products, network controllers or toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call 1 800 GO TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.