The Florida-based company operates in 38 US states and the District of Columbia. GIS claims to cover the top 250 markets in North America.

Strategy

Since its inception in 1994, GIS has purchased more than 100 regional firms in a bid to build a nationwide network of local-based office technology suppliers. It typically acquires companies at a rate of one or two a year and grows their services while expanding their geographic areas. Once critical mass is reached, the disparate divisions are often combined under one new company name. Such was the case in 2009 when GIS renamed its MWB Business Systems subsidiary to SoCal Office Technologies. The unit, which primarily serves companies in Southern California, was previously expanded through the acquisitions of Digitec, Pacific Office Solutions, and Advanced Business Systems, all based in the region.

Mergers and Acquisitions

In July 2013, the company acquired OneSOURCE Managed Services, a provider of printing, copying, and imaging products based in Oklahoma City with offices in Tulsa, Enid, and Muskogee. In April, GIS purchased Florida-based Zeno Office Solutions, a provider of print and IT products to small0 and medium-sized businesses, with nine location throughout the Sunshine State.

In July 2012, the company acquired Illinois-based Martin Whalen Office Solutions, a supplier of office technology and software products for Chicago's southern and western suburbs. Earlier in the year, it acquired Iowa's RK Dixon, a provider of IT services, copier, printers, and managed print services with locations in seven cities in Iowa and Illinois in February. In late 2011, GIS bought Merizon Group Incorporated, operating as MBM, based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Previously, GIS bought Xerographic Solutions, a Rochester, New York-based manager of print and network services and Bennett's Business Systems, a Jacksonville-based distributor of office printing products.

Company Background

In 2007 the acquisitive firm was purchased by Xerox for about $1.5 billion and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the technology products giant.