Book printer Walsworth to acquire Ripon Printers by year-end

Marceline, Mo.-based Walsworth Publishing Company will acquire Ripon Printers in Ripon, Wisconsin, on Dec. 31, 2019. The purchase of Ripon Printers will enhance Walsworth’s print manufacturing capabilities, giving customers additional printing, direct mail, fulfillment and digital communications options. After the acquisition, Walsworth’s annual revenue will exceed $200 million. The Ripon Printers plant will remain open and regular production schedules will continue as planned, but will operate under the Walsworth brand beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

“Walsworth and Ripon Printers share a similar history and culture,” said Don Walsworth, president of Walsworth. “Like us, they have a long history as a family-owned company focused on meeting the needs of their customers, employees and communities.”

Walsworth says it is a top-five book printer, a top-10 magazine printer and is the only family-owned printer of yearbooks. Started in 1937 by Don Walsworth, current leadership is under the second and third generations: Don O. Walsworth, CEO, and his son, Don Walsworth, president. The company operates from administrative offices and printing and binding facilities in Marceline, Missouri; a prepress facility in Brookfield, Missouri; a sales and marketing office in Overland Park, Kansas; and a printing facility in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, Walsworth owns the Donning Company Publishers, a specialty book publisher, as well as The Ovid Bell Press, a printer of journals and magazines located in Fulton, Missouri.