Toshiba America Business Solutions Acquires Hotz Business Solutions
IRVINE, Calif. — Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) announced that it has acquired Hotz Business Solutions (HBS) of Kansas City, Mo., a leading independent office equipment dealer in the Kansas City market with five locations throughout the states of Missouri and Kansas.
HBS, which currently does not sell Toshiba products and
services, will become part of Toshiba’s TOPAC division, a network of
acquired Toshiba equipment dealers. In business for more than 66 years, HBS is
the 15th acquisition by TABS of competitive line dealerships to date. Former
HBS owner and president R. D. Kerley will remain within the company to oversee
business expansion, marketing and day-to-day operations. In February 2002, TABS
also acquired Connected Office Products Inc. (COPI) as a part of its plan to
strengthen the TOPAC operation by targeting large and independent competitive
dealers in the top U.S. markets. With the acquisition of HBS, TABS continues to
successfully advance its aggressive growth strategy through TOPAC, with
revenues expected to nearly triple in 2003.
“TABS is achieving tremendous growth through TOPAC
despite the economic downturn and its significant impact on the
industry,” said Rick Taylor, senior vice president, sales, marketing,
business operations, TABS. “The addition of Hotz Business Solutions to
the TOPAC network represents another key milestone for TABS in its strategic
growth and market leadership initiatives. The company’s solid heritage
and reputation in its local area, strong management team and aggressive
business objectives align with our TOPAC goals and will contribute greatly to
our ongoing success.”
Since its inception seven years ago, TOPAC has acquired 15
independent dealers. There are currently nine existing subsidiaries in the
network with locations across the United States. The nine subsidiaries have
more than 50 offices with headquarters in Las Vegas; Denver; Deerfield Beach,
Fla.; Atlanta; Louisville, Ky.; Detroit; Pittsburgh; Boston/Wilmington, Mass.;
and now Kansas City, Mo.
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. TABS is an independent operating company of
Toshiba Corp., the fifth largest electronics/electrical equipment company and
the world’s 77th largest company in terms of sales.
Contact TABS at (800) GO-TOSHIBA or visit www.copier.toshiba.com
or www.fax.toshiba.com.
This article originally appeared in the March 2003 issue of Recharger.