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New owners of Vincent Printing see strong future for 80-year-old Chattanooga firm

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Valerie Van Velbhuizen and Golala Imen helps fold a large ad. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Valerie Van Velbhuizen and Golala Imen helps fold a large ad. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

By Dave Flessner January 14, 2022 5 min read

One of the nation’s oldest and biggest billboard and large-format printing businesses has a new owner who hopes to capitalize on new technologies and markets to grow the print operation – even as the advertising industry continues its transition into the digital age.

Vincent Printing, which has provided large-format printing products to customers in the outdoor advertising industry since 1940, has been bought by company president Beau Wells and two private equity firms – FutureTech Holding Co. in Atlanta and Ooltewah-based MLJB Holdings. The former owners, Doug and Charlie Casey, owned the business for nearly two decades and are now retiring from the print business.

The privately held company did not disclose its size or terms of the sale, and Wells said he is eager to build on the 82-year record of the Chattanooga business.

“While the company may have a change in ownership, it does not represent any change in our commitment to deliver large-format printing solutions that bring big brand ideas to life while providing exceptional customer service to our clients,” Wells said in an announcement of the sale this week.

Photo Gallery

Vincent Printing

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Tim Moore works with one of Vincent's huge digital printers. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Azad Amen monitors the printing of a large piece of advertising. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Media of all sizes is printed at the shop. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / A huge Hewlett Packard printer produces outdoor media. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Crew leader Valerie Van Velbhuizen folds a large ad. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Roderick Robinson and Dean Moore touchup a 118 x 61 foot ad that will grace the side of a building. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left Bo Freelend and Beau Wells prepare a demonstration of one of the company's billboards that feature backlighting to make the ad come alive at night. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Beau Wells shows a demonstration of one of the company's billboards that feature backlighting to make the ad come alive at night. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Bo Freeland, Business Development Strategist for Sports and Entertainment Development, Beau Wells, Owner, and Karah Plagens, Senior Account and Communications Manager pose for a photo in the company's East Chattanooga offices. Vincent Printing, formed in 1940, and located in East Chattanooga, is one of the country's biggest print shops of its type. New owner. Beau Wells talked with the newspaper on January 13, 2022.

Wells said the ownership change and greater access to capital should help the company boost its market share in the traditional billboard and sign printing business while adding new markets with new types of printing for multiple displays and even pollution control.