Graphco, a leading provider of offset presses, finishing equipment, and packaging solutions to the commercial printing industry, has announced an ownership transition as Jeremy Gattozzi and John Berger have acquired the company, positioning Graphco for its next phase of growth and innovation.
The transaction marks the beginning of the next chapter for the 50-year-old company while maintaining the leadership, relationships, and service culture that have long defined Graphco.
The journey toward the acquisition began with a conversation in an unlikely setting — a pizza shop in Bainbridge, Ohio.
During that meeting, Gattozzi approached longtime Graphco President Chris Manley with a simple question: What was the succession plan for Graphco? That discussion sparked a nearly year-long process in which Gattozzi began studying the company, learning the printing industry, and developing a long-term vision for Graphco’s future.
Built on Trust, Experience, and Shared Values
Throughout that process, Gattozzi partnered with his long-time friend and mentor John Berger, a seasoned entrepreneur who has built and operated his own company, Dreison International for more than 40 years (www.dreison.com). Berger has grown his business through disciplined leadership and strategic acquisitions. Berger also had a long-standing relationship with the Manley family, having known Bill, Chris, and Theresa Manley for almost 40 years, which provided an added level of familiarity and trust as discussions around Graphco’s future progressed.
As they spent time with the Graphco team, its customers, and its vendor partners, both Gattozzi and Berger developed a deep appreciation for the culture and reputation the company has built over its five-decade history. Graphco’s customer first mindset was in direct alignment with both John and Jeremy’s business philosophy.
Gattozzi joined Graphco in December 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, working closely with company leadership as the transaction moved toward completion. Since joining the organisation, he has already expanded the team by hiring three additional key employees in his first four months as part of the company’s continued growth strategy.
Chris Manley, who has led Graphco for decades, will remain President and Theresa Manley will continue as Chief Financial Officer to ensure continuity for customers, vendor partners, and employees.
“We wanted to ensure Graphco’s future was in the hands of people who understand what it takes to grow a business like ours,” said Chris Manley, President of Graphco. “Jeremy and John demonstrated a clear understanding of the industry, the importance of our seasoned Team, our vendor and customer partnerships, and the culture that has made Graphco successful. That shared vision is what made this transition possible.”
For Berger, Graphco’s new CEO, the company represented a rare opportunity to invest in a business with a strong and established staff, an outstanding reputation, deep industry relationships, and a five-decade long track record of industry leadership. The Unfair Advantage approach that has been Graphco’s mantra also lined up well with John and Jeremy’s aggressive growth objectives moving forward.
“Over the past 40 years I’ve built businesses through thoughtful acquisitions and strong leadership teams,” said John Berger. “Graphco is exactly the type of organisation we look for — a company with an exceptional reputation, loyal customers, and trusted vendor partnerships. Jeremy has already shown the leadership and commitment needed to build on that foundation, and I am excited to support Graphco’s growth in the years ahead.”
Gattozzi said his experience learning the business over the past year reinforced what makes Graphco unique in the industry.
“What became clear very quickly is that Graphco’s success is built on its people,” said Jeremy Gattozzi. “The dedication of the team, the strength of the customer relationships, and the partnerships with our vendors are what make this company special. John and I are honoured to continue that legacy and help grow Graphco for the next 50 years.”
With Ohio Graphco under new ownership and continued leadership from the Manley family, Graphco is well positioned to build on its strong foundation while expanding its capabilities and maintaining the service and expertise that have defined the company for more than 50 years.
