Imagemark Inc. (asi/230137), a $15 million Milwaukee-based distributor, has purchased Baltimore-based Imprint Inc. (asi/230607). Terms of the deal were not revealed. The acquisition of the $4 million Imprint Inc. adds 13 experienced sales reps to the Imagemark team, expands its coverage into a new region of the country and brings additional service expertise to its customer base.

The move is part of Imagemark's aggressive five-year growth plan, says President and CEO Mark Richman:

"We've been in the marketplace trying to bring on new sales reps and have found out how difficult it is. Our alternative plan has been to try to find strategic partners for acquisition. We've looked at a lot of companies, but Imprint Inc. was such a great fit."

The move is expected to benefit customers of both companies. Imprint Inc. gets immediate access to Imagemark's greater fulfillment capabilities, in-house graphic capabilities and Web design, while Imagemark gains the experience of Imprint's drop-ship business expertise. "We continue to do program-type business, but we are working toward our goal of 60/40 business more weighted on the make-and-ship than programs, and they will help us streamline that process."

Former Imprint owner Shelia Bertoldi is staying on as business development and corporate sales manager, along with her husband, Mark, who will be operations manager for the current Baltimore office. Imprint has been in business for 18 years and has customers in six states.