Missouri company expands reach to Northwest Arkansas

Pearson-Kelly Technology of Springfield, Mo., completed an acquisition on Sept. 1 to enter the Northwest Arkansas market.

According to a news release, Pearson-Kelly bought Digital Printing Solutions Inc. (DPS) of Rogers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The companies are similar with offerings in copier and printing technology. Pearson-Kelly also provides managed IT services, telephone systems and surveillance cameras.

DPS, which opened in 1999, will rebrand to Pearson-Kelly Technology and maintain its Rogers office at 4104 S. Honeysuckle Lane.

“I could not be more excited to watch Pearson-Kelly grow and serve the businesses of Northwest Arkansas,” Pearson-Kelly owner and CEO Chelsey Bode said. “With PKT’s commitment to pioneering tech solutions and DPS’ mastery in print management, our organizations are united with the goal to bring exceptional service to businesses in Missouri and Arkansas.”

DPS CEO Michael Gower said it wasn’t easy selecting an acquisition partner, but he is confident Pearson-Kelley is the right choice.

“We are extremely excited to stay working hand in hand serving the Northwest Arkansas communities with continued top-notch support,” he said.

Mike Kelly, Bode’s father, co-founded the business in 2004 and became the sole owner in 2011. Bode joined the company in 2007 as its sixth employee and became partner and president four years later. From 2011 to 2021, the father-daughter duo ran the business. Pearson-Kelly grew by 380% in those 10 years, added a new office in Joplin, Mo., and expanded service offerings.

After several years of succession planning, Bode became the company’s sole owner in October 2021.

DPS had eight employees. Following the acquisition, Pearson-Kelly employs 52.

Bode did not disclose revenue totals. She said DPS’s 2022 revenue was about 18% of Pearson-Kelly’s revenue total that year.