The Industrial Division of Graphics Technology Inc. has been bought out by a team of current and former executives. The operation, which markets labels and labeling equipment to the lubricant, petroleum and chemicals industries, now does business as Reliance Label Solutions Inc.
The new owners agreed to buy the division after GTI decided to sell or close it, said President Jay Frankenberg, former president and chief executive officer of GTI. RLS officials said they are convinced the company can prosper if full focus is given to the business.
There continues to be growing demand for turnkey labeling solutions that require unique, specialized label materials combined with label printing hardware and software, Vice President of Marketing and Sales Rick Earnshaw said.
RLS sells finished pressure-sensitive and static cling labels primarily for drums and pails. It also sells labeling materials and hardware and software to customers that prefer to add their own changeable data.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed. RLS said it retained most of the former employees of the GTI division and has a staff of 35. It will continue operating in its existing facility in Gardner, Kan., for a short period before relocating to Paola, Kan., 45 miles south of Kansas City, Mo.