User:Nickelsntimes/Ajalon Printing and Design

Ajalon Printing and Design is a landmark printing business that operates in Sonoma County, CA. The company, which derives its name from a Biblical location of Ajalon, was founded in 1953 in the city of Sebastopol. The business is privately held, headquartered in Santa Rosa. Ajalon Printing and Design Inc. has a historic presence in west Sonoma County and is known for its commitment to community service.



History
Ajalon Printing was established in the early 1950’s in Sebastopol California, by Joan Powers and Gayle Paige who worked to service the printing needs of west Sonoma County’s religious community. Operating out of their small Sebastopol shop, the first owners mostly printed short run jobs for churches and retreat centers. In the early 1960’s the business was moved to a warehouse in Twin Hill Ranch Sebastopol, CA. The business was sold in 1967 to John Horwitz, who expanded Ajalon Printing’s customer base from churches and religious centers to small businesses and more professional markets. In the early 1970’s Ajalon Printing was moved to its most historic location, the train depot in downtown Sebastopol.

In 1977 Horwitz sold Ajalon Printing to Joe Morgan and Walt Leonard. The new owners moved the business to its present location, off of Llano road in Santa Rosa. After five years, Leonard bought the second half of the business from Morgan and continued to expand Ajalon Printing throughout the greater Santa Rosa and Sebastopol areas. In 1987 Ajalon was purchased by David and Therese Walrath, who continue to operate it today. The same year the name was changed from Ajalon Printing to Ajalon Printing and Design in an attempt to modernize to the growing usage of computers and digital design technologies that were becoming prevalent in the printing industry.

Expansion
In 1992 Ajalon Printing and Design bought the accounts and equipment of J and D Printing in Rohnert Park. While this purchase did not add to the employee size, it greatly increased the market range to the greater Santa Rosa areas. Needing outside help, Hooked on Printing from Cotati was purchased by Ajalon Printing and Design in 1993. Again in 1995, Ajalon Printing and Design purchased Code 3 Printing in Santa Rosa. Purchasing the equipment, accounts and hiring some of their personnel, Ajalon Printing and Design took over Quick Print of Santa Rosa in 1997, which effectively doubled its customer base. After this purchase, the business split into two locations, one remaining on Llano Road and another opened on 7th street in downtown Santa Rosa. Though the second location would not last more than 3 years, during this time Ajalon Printing and Design experienced its highest employee count ever, 12. The following year the company purchased Discount Printing of Santa Rosa. In an effort to help a friend of the owners, 5th street printing was purchased in 2000. Shortly after in 2001, the business officially incorporated and the name was changed to Ajalon Printing and Design Incorporated.

Environmental Initiatives
As part of their driving mission, Ajalon has consistently stayed ahead of the environmental curve. In the early 1990’s the business was a leader in the printing industry for recycling its scrap and waste paper, which was not a common practice and required finding a special business to recycle the bulk paper. While typical inks are petroleum based and cannot be recycled, Ajalon Printing and Design Inc. started using soy oil inks that have a much lower environmental impact. The company also is capable of printing most jobs on tree free cotton paper.

Community Service
From its inception, Ajalon Printing and Design Inc. has dedicated itself to printing materials for nonprofit associations within the Sonoma County community. In addition to supporting local sports teams, it has repeatedly donated services and funding to youth organizations in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol such as Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Likewise, over the past 59 years, Ajalon Printing and Design Inc. has printed materials for the Sierra Club, Hessel Volunteer Firefighters, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Canine Companions for Independence, Sonoma County Repertory Theater, YWCA and YMCA. Ajalon Printing and Design Inc. also supports local schools by donating surplus paper supplies to the students and administrative staff