Old Colony Stationary Inc.
Address: 371 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville, MA 01588-0149
Phone: 508-234-2634
Fax: 508-234-4163
Website: www.OldColonyInc.com
Number of Employees: 40
Top Executive: Randy Bloem, President - Dale Bloem, Vice President
Product or Service: Computer & Office Supplies, Office Furniture, Digital Copying and Printing and Direct Mail Services
Year Founded: 1972
Homegrown office supplier provides superior service
A family business often starts at home, and Old Colony Stationery, Inc. is no exception.
"Dad started the business in the basement of our house in the late 60’s as a part-time printing company," recounts Randy Bloem, president. Then Glen Bloem decided he needed a retail storefront. He found one in Whitinsville, next to a Friendly’s. He put greeting cards out front, and the press in the back room.
Soon, he offered office supplies to his printing customers. Within four years, he bought the Odd Fellows Building in downtown Whitinsville. The banquet hall upstairs became the print shop. The business remained there for 25 years.
Randy Bloem attended Dean Junior College, where he undertook a marketing study of the Milford area for his small business degree, which lead to the Milford retail store. By 1986, Old Colony had expanded as a local office supplier, adding an additional retail site in Dudley. Randy’s older brother Dale joined the business in 1986, after earning his degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and working for a large office supply dealer for two years.
In the late 1980’s, Staples slammed the office supply market with low prices and multiplying retail locations. The Bloems asked themselves, how could they compete?
The answer turned out to be with exceptionally high-quality service provided to their niche market - business customers. "No gimmicks," says Randy. "We can offer them a greater variety of products, with everyday low prices." And the service starts with next-day delivery. The truck drivers are part of the team. For a new customer, after delivering their supplies, the driver often introduces himself to the company as more than just a delivery person but a representative of Old Colony.
Old Colony later joined TriMega Purchasing Association, a group of about 475 independent dealers nationwide that bands together for greater purchasing power. "They negotiate contracts with manufacturers and help create a level playing field for us to compete with the super stores," says Randy. Dale, now vice president in charge of administration, is on TriMega’s board of directors.
The Milford retail store was relocated to Whitinsville in about 1996, and Glen began preparing for retirement. It was clear the company needed more space, as they already were using off-site storage in the Linwood Mill. The Bloems looked for new space for two years, finally deciding to build on a three acre Whitinsville lot one-half mile from the Odd Fellows building. They broke ground on Douglas Road in April 2001 and moved in that December.
"We went from 2,500 square feet on four floors to 19,200 square feet in a new facility," said Randy. "No more stairs. Now we need rollerskates!" The Dudley store has since relocated to Whitinsville, which has an office furniture showroom and retail outlet.
The new space is only 1.5 miles from the improved Route 146, as Old Colony continues to service the Worcester-Providence corridor.
"We’re now a distribution business,more so than a retail outlet" explains Randy, "delivering businesses with office supplies, furniture and printing services."
Old Colony expanded its service territory throughout Worcester County with the acquisition of Palsons’ office supply and furniture divisions in February 2006. "It’s a natural fit. This gives us greater visibility in Worcester County," says Randy.
You can’t miss Old Colony — just look for their trucks with a dancing pencil man character.
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