Direct Mail Processing Veteran Buys Tidewater Publishing Purchase Marks Boone’s Return As A Major Direct Marketer

Ken Boone, who sold his Direct Marketing Associates company to printing giant Harte-Hanks, has bought direct mail component supplier Tidewater Publishing Corp. Boone's other company is American Digital Imaging of Baltimore, which produces on-demand, personalized laser printed pieces for direct mail.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) December 26, 2005 -- Direct marketing veteran Ken Boone recently announced that he has purchased Tidewater Publishing Corp., a direct mail components supplier with facilities in Maryland and Iowa. The company will now operate under the name Tidewater Direct Inc.

Boone was a highly-regarded direct marketer when he sold Direct Marketing Associates, a full-service and high-volume direct mailing company, to Harte-Hanks Inc. in 1999 to form Harte-Hanks Baltimore. Boone’s Direct Marketing Associates had annual sales of $20 million and sent out about 300 million credit card solicitations per year. The purchase of Tidewater Publishing re-establishes Boone as a major player in the direct marketing industry.

“Customers will get the same consistent service and same level of quality as they have enjoyed in the past with Tidewater,” says Boone, who also owns and operates American Direct Imaging (ADI), a Baltimore-based direct mail processing and distribution company. “The synergies between Tidewater and American Direct Imaging are outstanding. Tidewater has a new partner in ADI.”

Tidewater Publishing has a staff of 115 employees at facilities in Centerville, Maryland, and West Branch, Iowa. Combined with ADI, the two companies boast a total of 11 presses, plus numerous folders and saddle stitchers.

Boone says he plans to invest millions of dollars to upgrade equipment at the Tidewater facilities that will benefit the company’s clients. “Customers can expect consistent quality and wholesale pricing with deliveries on time,” says Boone.

The Tidewater leadership will stay on under the new ownership. Boone will serve as president. Joseph Johns Jr., formerly president of Tidewater Publishing, becomes vice president of finance. Larry McCormick will serve as vice president of sales, while Dick Smith will be vice president of manufacturing.

Tidewater Direct Inc. is headquartered on 50 acres in Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Formerly known as Tidewater Publishing Corp., the company was founded in 1959 and was operated by the Art Kudner Jr. Family until its purchase by Ken Boone in December 2005. Tidewater Direct is a supplier and processor of direct mail components, personalized direct mail pieces and litho printed business reply envelopes. For more information, contact Ken Boone at 800-638-1190.

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