Company History
Over forty years ago, after working for numerous employers, a hard working man decided to start his own business. He saw the need and had a vision.....to be the best at what he did, and to create a resource for a billion dollar industry that had nothing in place. He did not know that what he was about to do would change the printing and graphic arts industry forever.
Newly married, with three young children, this man followed through with his vision. He was going to start a magazine for the printing and graphic arts industry. The name of the magazine was "Horsetrader". You might ask how he got that name? Well, here's the deal. People had always called him a "Horsetrader" because he was selling just about everything door-to-door, and business-to-business. A "Horsetrader" is a wheeler-dealer, a buy-sell-trade type of person if you will.
For almost 42 years now, Horsetrader has been "The Source For Buying and Selling in the Printing, Graphics Arts & Digital Marketplace". Chances are, if you need printing equipment, supplies or services, etc. you can find it, buy it or sell it in the Horsetrader. People have even called Horsetrader the "Bible" of the Printing Industry! That's one of the biggest compliments ever received!
After having such success with Horsetrader, new territory was discovered - Northern California to be exact. This new area would be perfect for it's sister magazine "Pacific Trader". Although they look similar, they are quite different. Horsetrader covers all of Southern California, parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Pacific Trader covers all of Northern California, parts of Oregon and Washington. Copies of both however, do seem to circulate worldwide. We mail to companies in Mexico, South America, Guam, Puerto Rico and The Phillipines just to name a few.
With two successful magazines under his belt now, this man decided to pursue more business opportunities. The Printing Trade Show idea was conceived, and called "The Gutenberg Festival". Who would have thought that this 4-Day event would bring in over 10,000 attendees in its first year 1972 ! The trade show eventually became the biggest and best-attended trade show West of the Mississippi. Northern California took home to the "Bay Area Gutenberg Festival" (the sister trade show to Gutenberg Festival) and we even had a few shows in Washington D.C. and Chicago!
A few more businesses stemmed from all of this: Gutenberg Travel, a full scale travel agency, designed to accommodate the attendees and exhibitors of these giant trade shows. Also, The International Printing Museum, the largest printing museum in the Continental United States. The museum displays thousands of antique printing presses, letterpresses, books, stitching machines and just about everything else related to the printing industry. Anywhere from 10-20 schools tour the museum monthly. Giving back to the younger generations was also part of his plan. And to this day, the Printing Museum in Carson, CA is still operating and serving schools and businesses, educating them with printing lessons and history.
After three decades of hard work, this brilliant man finally retired. He now donates his time to various charities and Christian organizations. This man that I've been writing about is my father, Dave. I would like to thank my father and mother for the blessed gift of this business. I also want to thank you (the Readers and Advertisers) for the continued support over the last four decades. Most importantly, I thank GOD for the opportunity of serving you with unmatched customer service and results!
On a personal note, I've seen this business make it through the "oil crisis" of the 1970's and the "recession" of 1990. Right now, we are facing another difficult time in America. But let's realize this. This country is great because of its opportunity. We all live here because of that very reason. If we let fear and panic drive the economy, nobody wins. We all know that advertising works, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. We also know that every business depends on printers and needs printing!
I'm a team player and we're on the same team. If you have any comments, let me know. Without your suggestions over the last 20 years (that I've been publisher), I wouldn't have made it. I exist because of you, and I want to convey my heartfelt "Thanks" again for advertising and reading our monthly publications. Hang in there and let's get through this together!
Respectfully,
The Publisher 
PrinTrade Publishing, Inc.
Horsetrader & Pacific Trader Magazines |
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Horsetrader & PacificTrader
are registered trademarks of PRINTRADE PUBLISHING, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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