Dixon Ticonderoga Company (asi/50150) has served the promotional products industry for 87 years – a run that now appears to be coming to an end.

On Aug. 1, the provider of the well-known No. 2 pencil and other writing instruments indicated that it’s shuttering its promo division.

Steve Boyea, president of sales and marketing, said in a written announcement to customers that the exit comes along with a decision to close a distribution center in Macon, GA – a facility from which promo orders were fulfilled.

Boyea said the company is planning to dissolve its promo products division by the end of the year, and is expected to be out of the Macon operational center come the end of November.

“Due to the closing of this distribution center, we have also determined that our promotional products business that is housed within our Macon DC will also close at the end of the year,” Boyea said in the communication to clients.

Dixon Ticonderoga said it would accept orders through Nov. 17. Inventory will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be replenished. Boyea noted that certain excess materials could be available at discounted pricing. In communication with ASI Media, Boyea said Dixon Ticonderoga does not “have plans to resume making promo products in the foreseeable future.”

It wasn’t clear how many employees would be affected.

“While it is never easy to make decisions that impact employees’ lives, we are committed to transition with our teammates in a fair and respectful manner,” Boyea said in the statement.

He added: “We have had the pleasure of serving our promotional products customers for over 87 years. We thank you for your loyalty and business. We are committed to complete this closing as smoothly as possible. We appreciate your partnership during this transition and will work to do our best for you.”

Dixon Ticonderoga Company sells in markets beyond promo. It provides products and supplies for the classroom, office and fine art. Beyond pencils, offerings include paper rolls, brushes, erasers, chalk and markers. Dixon Ticonderoga Company is part of the F.I.L.A. Group, an Italy-based multinational supplier of art materials and related products. Dixon Ticonderoga was founded in the United States and has roots that stretch back to the 1790s.