Joint Press Release – May 1, 2019

Toof American Digital Printing, along with two current minority investors of Champion Awards, announced today the purchase of the controlling shareholders’ interests in Champion Awards from the Estate of Mike Bowen and his immediate family. Mike Bowen, who founded Champion in 1970, passed away in early February of this year. The sale was made at an undisclosed amount.

Champion is a leading supplier of screen printed and embroidered Apparel, Promotions and Awards to schools, industry and other organizations. The Company also offers Company Store management and fulfillment services for several leading Memphis based businesses.  From its 50,000 square foot facility on Winplace Drive, Champion employs 50 people. Under the terms of the transaction Champion will continue to operate as a standalone company.

Stilly McFadden, President of Toof American Digital, said “We see this acquisition as an opportunity to increase the broad range of services and products we currently offer to our traditional print customers as well as offering our services to Champion’s customers. Mike’s passing was a real blow to all parties as we had been working together on this deal since last September. Mike and his wife Suzie have done a great job preparing the company to expand more into the Company Store industry and Toof’s current customer base offers many opportunities to take it to the next level.  We believe marketing materials, apparel, promotions and associated ad specialties are a great mix for businesses trying to offer an on-line one-stop source for whatever their employees need, either for internal use or in their sales and marketing efforts. 

The Company also announced the hiring of Lee R. Marshall as its new President and Steve Hergenrader as VP of Finance.  Existing employees Brandon Conners and Jay Martin, Jr. were promoted to VP of Operations and VP of Company Store Development, respectively.

Founded in 1864, Toof American Digital Printing is the oldest and largest commercial printing company in the Mid-South. It currently offers sheetfed, web and digital printing services, direct mail services and warehouse fulfillment services to customers throughout the United States.

For more information please contact Stilly McFadden at 901-274-3632.