Ohio-based Traxium LLC, whose holdings include Printing Concepts (asi/79576), has purchased Great Lakes Integrated and Watt Printers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. These two businesses will now operate under the Traxium umbrella, bringing Traxium’s workforce to nearly 200 employees. According to a Traxium statement, “all existing facilities will remain open and operational” and “the current top leadership of both [Great Lakes and Watt] will stay on with Traxium” in various ways.

“Traditional printing companies in northeast Ohio and across the country are being forced to compete in an ever-changing landscape where print is only a small piece of the puzzle,” said George Schmutz, owner and CEO of Traxium. “The Traxium vision is to embrace these dynamics and acquire companies that fit into our forward-thinking, growth-oriented and customer-centric business model – a model that truly serves customers’ complete communications, marketing and printing needs while growing their businesses and strengthening their brands.”

Great Lakes Integrated and Watt Printers have more than 200 combined years of industry experience, specializing in graphics communication and print products. “Much of our focus has been on our employees, the graphic arts industry and improving the community where our people live and work,” said Mike Nakonek, owner of Watt Printers. “I feel confident Traxium will continue that tradition to a far greater level of success for our customers, employees, vendors and our marketplace.”

Added Jim Schultz, CEO at Great Lakes: “With expanded customer service, technology and product offerings, the synergies between Great Lakes and Traxium make this a win-win for our associates and customers.”

Traxium was founded in 2014 with the acquisition of Printing Concepts Inc. The firm has since grown with the purchases of Newhouse Printing and McKinnon Printing, as well as marketing agency Galapagos LLC.