Office Express acquires Bettendorf

Office Express Office Products has acquired Bettendorf Office Products, Bettendorf, Iowa. The merge was finalized on July 31, 2023, and financial terms were not disclosed.

“The company is a great fit for us, with great people,” says Benjamin Keel, Office Express vice president. The acquisition expands our reach and the offerings for Bettendorf’s client base.”

The company is operating under the Office Express brand, and Bettendorf sales rep Steve Hershberger is joining the Office Express team.

“When Ben and his team came to us in 2020 or 2021, we were very intrigued,” recalls Hershberger. “The fact that Office Express is a family-owned company, with many of the same values that we’ve had for nearly 47 years, made it something we wanted to explore. After getting to know his team, we have full trust that they will continue the legacy that we’ve built. With changing buyer habits, we felt it was time to get away from our combination commercial/ retail model and we feel Office Express is the best way to do this. We are looking forward to a new era for the company.”

Keel agrees the time for the acquisition was right: explains. “We believe the area is a good investment for us and is in keeping with our continued growth goals. The Southern Utah market we now serve—which includes Cedar City south through St. George and into Mesquite, Nevada—are very welcoming to us as an independent dealer and appreciate the special experience we provide them that no big box can.”

In separate news, Strive’s recent participation in a symposium at the Hilton in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, as the event’s preferred office products vendor, was well received.

“Steve and his team have done an amazing job with their offerings and reach. When we all met and got to know each other, it felt like we had been friends for years. We just connected. With our ability to give Steve the support he needs, and the ability to bring more product offerings and programs to his clients, it just made perfect sense to team up. We continue to grow strategically while the traditional office products industry is down; we are very fortunate for that. We are looking forward to this and getting to know the amazing and committed Bettendorf client base.”

Bettendorf Office Products was founded in 1976 by Al and Betty Steinbrecher. In 1984, their son Mark opened Evergreen Art Works, the retail store next door. Soon after, daughters Catherine and Liz and Catherine’s husband, Hershberger, joined the family business. Office Express opened its doors in 1986.