Hughes Xerographic of Bellaire has acquired Wheeling's Stenger Business Systems in a move company leaders believe is a "win-win" situation for the Ohio Valley.
No one is expected to lose their job as a result of the merger, according to Hughes Xerographic co-owners Adam and Joe Hughes and Tom Stenger, who owned the former Stenger Business Systems. All nine staff members of the former Wheeling firm will join Hughes Xerographic's 15 employees, with all operations coming out of the Bellaire company's 3114 Belmont St. location.
The company will operate under the name Hughes Xerographic Equipment Agency.
According to Stenger, the transition to Bellaire will be complete by Jan. 11, and while those nine jobs will be moving across the river, partnering with Hughes allowed him to keep those jobs in the area after his efforts to find a successor from within his company didn't work. Had he sold the company to larger firm from out of the area, Stenger believes many of his staff members likely would have been let go within a few months.
"Wheeling's taking a hit on this," Joe Hughes said, "but it's still in the valley. By keeping all of these jobs, all of these people working, it really is a better situation all the way around."
Both parties declined to disclose how much Hughes Xerographic paid to acquire Stenger Business Systems.
Hughes Xerographic, a family-owned business since 1970, offers Xerox office machines and supplies for sale or lease, while Stenger Business Systems dealt in Savin and Risograph office machines.
In his new role with Hughes, Stenger said his task will be ensuring customers of his former company, founded in 1945 when his father Ralph sold dictation equipment and Royal typewriters, receive the same level of service they've been used to over the years.
Joe Hughes said the combined companies will offer their customers increased service as well as an increased selection of product offerings with the lines brought in by Stenger. He called the merger "a groundbreaking event" in the 50-plus year history of Xerox, noting in the past Xerox providers were bound by an exclusivity agreement that prevented them from acquiring companies that were not Xerox dealers.
Stenger said representatives of both companies will be reaching out to customers to answer any questions, adding anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact either him or Joe Hughes.
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