An acquisition involving two Kansas-based distributors of promotional products, office supplies and other items is creating a combined company that will serve more than 5,000 customers and generate a forecasted $16 million in revenue in 2023.

Wichita, KS-headquartered Midwest Single Source (MSS) this week announced its acquisition of Hutchinson, KS-based Roberts Hutch-Line. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Kevin Ulwelling, Midwest Single Source

MSS will continue to go to market under its name, while Roberts Hutch-Line will transition to the Midwest Single Source brand over the next three months.

In addition to hard good promotional products and corporate apparel, the combined company will provide office supplies, mailroom solutions, office furniture, break room items, janitorial products and more.

MSS president Kevin Ulwelling told ASI Media that the company generated about $12 million in revenue in 2022. This year, he said, the combined companies are projected to grow total sales by roughly a third to $16 million.

MSS has been in business since 1976. Roberts Hutch-Line has a history stretching back to 1894, when the company was known as Leigh and Roberts Printing and Stationery.

Ulwelling noted that the firms have been independent and locally owned. Both those elements remain true following the acquisition, and they help make for a natural merger, executives said.

“Joining forces with another independent dealer enables us to compete in today’s world and continue exceeding customer expectations,” Ulwelling said.

Mike Lindt, president of Roberts Hutch-Line, said joining MSS will lead to advantages that include expanded promo products/branded apparel capabilities, as well as an enhanced online shopping experience.

“Combining purchasing power and upgrading online technology for our customer base makes for an exciting future,” Lindt said.