For four decades National Office Products and Printing has been a staple in the Eastern Upper Peninsula entrenching itself into the community while putting customers and employees first.
To celebrate 40 years of being a part of the Sault Ste. Marie and the greater EUP community, National Office Products and Printing (NOPP) will be holding a customer appreciation event and ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 26 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
NOPP serves as a hub for clients across Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties as well as the northern Lower Peninsula with an additional office based in Cheboygan. Cliental ranges from educational institutes, to banks, to medical facilities, governmental bodies and local retail stores. With multiple divisions including office products, custom furniture, business equipment and graphics, NOPP has a solution for nearly all business needs.
Located in a building that encompasses both 405 Ashmun St. and 322 Court St. (affectionately dubbed the, ‘store with two front doors.’) National Office Products and Printing has been a fixture in downtown Sault Ste. Marie since Patrick Dougherty started the business in 1979.
Before becoming a one stop shop for business solutions, NOPP started as an office products supplier with a humble beginning.
“I sold everything I had, and went all in,” said Dougherty, owner of NOPP. “I bought an inventory of office supply products and worked out of my station wagon.”
Once the 1980s started, the business grew fast as did Dougherty’s family. He was married in 1980 to his wife Kathy, soon had four children and by 1984 purchased the Ashmun Street portion of the building.
In 1982 National Office Products expanded to include the “Printing” part of its name once Dougherty purchased a local printing business. Soon thereafter he acquired the original printing presses from the Gerrie Press. The same year saw Applied Graphics Division Manager Kevin Pomeroy hired.
“Kevin has many skills and has grown us from a print shop to a complete graphics center,” added Dougherty, noting that NOPP is capable of producing signage, custom embroidery, promotional products, wide format printing and unique designs.
Sales Manager Keith Laabs joined the business in 1983, and along with Pomeroy, is one of many of the 25 employees that have over 20 years of service. Ownership credits the dedication of the NOPP staff for the success and growth of the business, and believes every job as important as the next.
Over the years NOPP has put itself at the forefront of providing innovative business solutions. NOPP was the first authorized Xerox copier dealer in the United States in the 1980s, and became a blueprint for Xerox’s nation-wide training with their sales philosophies. Business equipment was an integral part of the 90s. Currently, NOPP is Michigan’s only authorized Pro Tech service center for Konica Minolta, under the department leadership of Curt Van. It has held that distinction for over 10 years thanks in part to excellent service.
In looking forward to the next generation of NOPP ownership Dougherty has partnered with his daughter Shannon Veum, “who has taken on the daily responsibilities and stress of running a multifaceted business”, he explained. She returned to Sault Ste. Marie from Albion College with a business degree nearly 17 years ago, plans to continue NOPP’s growth for the next 40 years and beyond.
Just as important as offering products, service and support to area businesses, NOPP prides itself on giving back to the community. The business has served as a major donor to local hospitals and educational institutions, as well as hundreds of other organizations throughout a five-county area over the years.
“It’s 40 years of business solutions, relationships and giving back to the community that supports us,” said Veum.
The public is welcomed to come attend the customer appreciation day and ribbon cutting Thursday, Sept. 26 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at NOPP, and get an opportunity to view recent interior renovations to a historic building that has stood in downtown Sault Ste. Marie for well over 100 years.