Longtime Bellingham print shop sold to regional organization
A longtime Bellingham printing shop is now under the ownership of a regional job training organization.
Northwest Center Services announced in a news release that it has acquired Lithtex NW. No changes are planned in terms of employees or the company name, and Lithtex NW co-founders and operators John Busch and Scott Wheeler will continue to lead the print shop as a division of Northwest Center Services. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Northwest Center is one of the nation’s largest organizations focused on disability inclusion programs and services, advancing equal opportunities for people of all abilities. The organization operates five other businesses in other industries, including building services, office staffing and commercial laundry.
Founded in 2002, Lithtex offers a wide range of printing services out of its Kentucky Street facility, which it acquired from Premier Agendas in 2013. At the time it acquired the Kentucky Street facility, Lithtex employed about 60 people.
During the pandemic, Lithtex is operating with a core team of employees, but as the economy recovers from the pandemic, Northwest Center expects the workforce to grow, even past pre-pandemic levels, said Mary Sheely, communications director at the organization.
“We’re very excited to now be part of the Bellingham community. Our goal is to grow Lithtex operations there and as we do, there will certainly be opportunities to hire people of all abilities,” Sheely said in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Northwest Center sees the acquisition of Lithtex NW as a geographic expansion of the organization’s employment services division.
“We are excited to enter the print industry — particularly as it aligns so well with our strategic plan to grow our businesses and expand our services and impact,” said Northwest Center President & CEO Gene Boes. “But it was the Lithtex NW reputation for delivering the highest quality service and products, connection to community, and focus on building customer relationships that made it the perfect fit for our organization.”
Along with its adult employment services, Northwest Center provides early intervention and early learning programs for children from birth to school age.
This story was originally published December 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
