Since 1982, River Bend Business Products has acquired Twin City Photocopy of Minneapolis, Modern Office Machines from Fairmont, and The Beltz Company in Faribault; seamlessly integrating their operations into the business. In 2018, River Bend Business Products merged with Kemske Publishing Company; a business with a rich history dating back to 1914 in New Ulm, Minnesota. Kemske specialized in promotional and custom printing, computer sales and support, and office supplies.
In July of 2018, The New Ulm Journal wrote:
Kemske Printing & Paper Company has joined forces with River Bend Business Products, and together the businesses will apply their combined 140 years of experience serving more than 3500 current customers.
When Kemske’s owner, Les Bruns, decided to focus exclusively on his software consulting business, his goal was to merge with another company that would keep Kemske’s 104-year legacy of local business and jobs alive. Trusting River Bend Business Products would be a reputable dealer to work with, he contacted CEO Jim Hansen to see if he was interested.
Hansen said, “I’m proud Les thought highly enough of River Bend Business Products that he called me to check our level of interest.” Hansen has tremendous respect for Kemske Printing & Paper Company and thinks the combination of the diversified businesses and talented teams will bring together two complementary cultures with a shared focus on serving customers.
“The business is staying here in New Ulm, and all of Kemske’s employees will be retained, adding their strengths and experience to the River Bend Business Products family,” Hansen stated. Among these employees is Les’ son, Jake, who lives in New Ulm and will continue working in the IT field for the blended company. And, yes, the Kemske name will stay.
Hansen said each business brings unique areas of expertise to the table. Among Kemske’s strengths is its experience in specialty printing and its cultivation of long-term customer relationships. River Bend Business Products brings a wider level of product offerings, including a larger selection of copiers and printers and exceptional technical expertise and services.
“Our primary goals include keeping operations local and improving services to customers,” Hansen said. “We are a high-tech company with an ‘old-school’ vibe,” he added, “meaning we deliver the advanced technological services of today within a framework of traditional, tried-and-true business values, including personalized service, reliability, and professionalism.”
River Bend Business Products has since upheld Kemske’s strong legacy while continuing to expand services. A complete renovation and restoration project on the original Kemske building was completed in March of 2024; adding a large in-house print production area with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a modern office furniture showroom, and an updated office supply retail shopping experience.
