Skip to content

HC Brands Press

 
 

2023 Tech Leaders: Jim Gruhn of HC Brands

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug 4, 2023 -- For the past five years, the Jacksonville Business Journal has honored some of the men and women whose technology leadership has helped local organizations grow, deal with challenges and shape the future. Congrats to the 2023 class of Tech Leaders of the Year. Read the full article here.

 

 

HC Brands Expands Product Capabilities and Leadership Team with StickyLife.com Acquisition

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 12, 2023 -- HC Brands is thrilled to announce its acquisition of StickyLife.com, a niche personalized products company specializing in customized stickers and magnets. Read the full article here.

 

 
 

HC Brands Invests Big in Infrastructure and Executive Team

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., December 27, 2021, /PRNewswire/ -- HC Brands makes big changes by opening a new manufacturing center in West Chester, Pennsylvania and by hiring seasoned leaders. Read the full article here.

 

 
 

Name Tag Wizard Supports Small Business Re-opening with Safety and Identification Products

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses across the US are continuing to open their doors after weathering harsh business impacts from COVID-19.
Read the full article here.

 

 
 

Feb 08, 2021: HC Brands Invests in NetSuite® to Host its ERP and Manufacturing Systems

 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --"NetSuite® is a premier Business Management Solution for mid-size e-commerce and manufacturing companies and we are excited to embark on a a journey of upgrading all of our back-office systems with a great partner," says Owner and CFO of HC Brands, Steve Fernandez. Read the full article here.

 

 
 

September 11, 2020: Trusted Jacksonville eCommerce Company HC Brands Establishes Scholarship & Internship Program

 "HC Brands, formerly Holmes Custom and Holmes Stamp & Sign has grown since its opening in 1954. In over 60 years we attracted media attention with our ever growing business. Find journals written on HC Brands here. Read the full article here.

 

 
 

April 6, 2020: SIMPLY STAMPS AND TRODAT GIVE AWAY 2000 STAMPS TO SUPPORT HEALTHIER CLASSROOMS

 "Simply Stamps teamed up with Trodat in March to give away 2000 FREE hand-washing stamps to teachers nationwide. This give away promoted hand washing in schools, and created a fun way for teachers to encourage students to wash their hands regularly. Read the full article here.

 

 
 

April 6, 2020: HC Brands (formerly Holmes Custom) hires 2 Vice Presidents

 "HC Brands, formerly Holmes Custom, is pleased to announce the addition of staff in two new leadership positions. Brandi Preston joins as the Vice President of Fulfillment and Logistics, and Jodi Bibler joins as the Vice President of Product & Merchandising." Read the full article here.

 

 
 

October 23, 2019: Holmes Custom acquires WallMonkeys

 "In its seventh acquisition in three years, Jacksonville-based Holmes Custom announced it bought Maryland-based WallMonkeys, a wall decal manufacturer and e-commerce retailer. Holmes Custom, which started out as a stamp and sign company, makes custom printed products. It has locations in Jacksonville, Austin, Texas, and Salem, Massachusetts. WallMonkeys relocated to Holmes Custom’s headquarters in San Marco East in September." Read the full article here.

 

 
 

October 21, 2019: Holmes Customs expands into wall decal market with 9th acquisition

 "Holmes Custom has made nine acquisitions over the years, expanding its business in both scope and location. It's most recent purchase continues that trend: The Jacksonville-based manufacturer of everything from signs to rubber stamps has acquired Maryland-based WallMonkeys.com, a manufacturer and retailer of peel-and-stick wall decals for homes and businesses." Read the full article here.

 

 
  Florida Times Union Logo

October 14th, 2019: Customized Products Company in Jacksonville Acquires WallMonkeys.com

 "Jacksonville-based Holmes Custom announced its acquisition of WallMonkeys.com. The Maryland-based manufacturer and e-commerce retailer was founded in 2009 and prints peel-and-stick wall decals for homes and businesses. Holmes Custom, which locally is at 2021 E. St. Augustine Road, has been in business for 65 years and also has locations in Austin, Texas, and Salem, Mass. The company provides custom business products and personalized gifts." Read the full article here.

 

 
 

June 26th, 2019: Jax-based Holmes Custom puts a unique spin on success

 "After 65 years in Jacksonville, Holmes Custom is on an upswing. What started as a rubber stamp manufacturing company has transformed into a bustling operation with a range of customizable products and three fulfillment centers scattered across the country. The goal of the company is to “challenge ourselves with innovation,” said Bryan Croft, owner of Holmes Custom, which they're doing in part by utilizing e-commerce websites to grow their reach." Read the full article here.

 

 
 

June 19th, 2019: Meet the 2019 Fastest Growing Companies on the First Coast

 "For more than 25 years, the Jacksonville Business Journal has identified the fastest growing companies on the First Coast. This list has tracked companies that boomed during the good times, that grew even when the economy shrank, that stand as an example of what ingenuity, hard work and creativity can lead to. Logistics, finance, health care, technology, law and more — all of the major industries in the Jacksonville area are represented on this year's list." Read the full article here.

 

 
  Fit Small Business

September 6th, 2018: Top 30 Business Philosophy Examples from the Pros

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), about 33 percent of all businesses will fail during their first two years. This is why it’s important that business owners are guided by principles to reach company goals every day. We asked the experts to share the business philosophy they live by that helps them stay focused as decision makers. Here are the top 30 best business philosophies from the pros."  Learn about CEO Bryan Croft’s Business Philosophy here.

 

  

June 20th, 2018: Growth and Expansion in the Modern Age with Bryan Croft

“Growing a manual business of creating rubber stamps from the pre-Internet days to the modern age is a daunting task—but that's exactly what Holmes Custom has done. Bryan shares stories of how his dad bought the company from Mr. Holmes years ago before he took over in the late nineties.Since then, they've grown from a mostly local business to a national e-commerce site with locations in three major cities and over 100 employees." Tune in to the podcast interview with Bryan Croft here.

 

 
 

March 29th, 2018: Holmes Custom Launches New Division: 904 Custom

 "Holmes Custom, a rubber stamp, sign, and corporate awards company, launched a new division, 904 Custom, on March 15, 2018. The transition has been in the works for up to 18 months. The division stems from its Etsy store that has offered personalized products such as stamps, embossers, cutting boards, pet accessories, and more since 2014. In that time, it has acquired nearly 18,000 followers." Read the full article here.

 

 February 16th, 2018: Holmes Custom Expands with Acquisitions in 2 States

 "Jacksonville-based Holmes Custom announced Thursday it bought Capitol Rubber Stamp Co., based in Austin, Texas, and Frost Manufacturing, based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Formerly known as Holmes Stamp & Sign, the company also bought 3 acres of commercial property at 3036 Philips Highway for eventual development.The personalization company was created in 1954 and is based at 2021 St. Augustine Road, just off Philips Highway." Read the full article here.

 

 September 6th, 2017: Holmes Custom Hires Two Senior-Level Employees

 "The Jacksonville-based e-commerce company that retails custom business products and personalized gifts Holmes Custom has hired two senior level employees, Lee Pinkerton and Jim Gruhn. Pinkerton joins as the Chief Customer Officer and Gruhn as the Chief Technology Officer. "We are already a strong team but with the additions of Lee and Jim, we are in a very strong position,' said CEO and President Bryan Croft." Read the press release here.

 

August 31st, 2017: Holmes Custom Acquires 47-year-old Detroit-Based Company: Blue Water Engraving and Rubber Stamps

 "Holmes Custom, previously Holmes Stamp & Sign, a Jacksonville-based provider of rubber stamps, custom signs, name tags, and personalized products for business and home use since 1954, has acquired a Michigan-based company, Blue Water Engraving and Rubber Stamps. Blue Water began in 1970 as Pontiac Stamp, Stencil and Typesetting and was acquired by Dan and Cathy Cushard in 2004. Its growth over the years has been predominantly organic, stemming from referrals of clients and professionals in the Detroit-Metro area." Read the press release here.

 

May 17th, 2017: After 60 Years, a Fast-Growing Jax Business is Changing its Strategy

 "After more than 60 years in business, a fast-growing Jacksonville company is changing its branding and expanding its footprint. What had been Holmes Stamp and Sign has changed its name to Holmes Custom, reflecting the changing nature of its business. While the family-owned business started with stamps and then grew into signs, it has since expanded into an array of customized products, from name tags to trophies." Read the full article here.

 

April 13th, 2017: GMA Deals and Steals on Must-Have Personalized Products

When we heard we would be featured on Good Morning America with Tory Johnson's Steals and Deals, it was a dream come true for our small business! For years we had worked towards building our company, so when we had the opportunity to be featured on national news we realized our time to shine was finally here. Tory showcased our personalized pet bowls in the segment, and the result? $45,000 in pet bowl sales in just two days. Our small team gathered around the TV to watch the segment, then worked long hours to fulfill all of the orders! Read all about this exciting day for our company here.

 

 April 12th, 2017: A Conversation with Bryan Croft, Owner Holmes Custom

 "With a freshly minted marketing degree, Bryan bought into this business and took it over from the previous generation. He has ushered it into the internet age and led a few acquisitions. Merging cultures and integrating leadership from some of those companies turned out to be a challenge. Listen to how Bryan initially underestimated the difficulty of navigating people, culture and processes." Listen to the podcast episode here.

 

April 1st, 2017: Made in Jax: Holmes Custom Makes an Impression

 "Bryan Croft refers to his company as 'a 63-year-old startup.' Holmes Stamp & Sign has been a fixture in Jacksonville since the 1950s. But that small local company that produced rubber stamps and signs for Jacksonville business has changed in recent, thanks to a full embrace of the internet and e-commerce. 'We realized we had a really cool product that we could put in a box and ship anywhere,' said Croft, who bought the business from his father in 2009." Read the full article here.

 

  March 21st, 2017: Holmes Custom Hosts Local Elementary School Field Trip

 "Eager Jacksonville Beach Elementary School students skipped to the door of the Holmes Custom facility on March 9 for its annual Field Trip Day, where they learned the ins-and-outs of how stamps, signs and name tags are made. Approximately 80 first graders were greeted by Holmes Custom CEO Bryan Croft, who kicked off the activities by sharing what the day had in store." Read the full article here.

 

March 17th, 2017: Jacksonville Holmes Custom Acquires Sign and Stamp Company Outside of Boston

  "A Jacksonville-based sign and stamp company has acquired an e-commerce company based in Salem, Mass. Holmes Custom, formerly known as Holmes Sign & Stamp and manufactures signs, rubber stamps, name tags and other business products in Jacksonville, announced in a prepared statement that it has acquired The Corporate Connection. The company based in Salem outside of Boston produces notary supplies and corporate seals and some other products similar to Holmes Custom." Read the full article here.

 

March 16th, 2017: Holmes Custom Remodels and Expands with Acquisition

  "Jacksonville-based manufacturer Holmes Custom is taking steps toward major growth early in 2017 as it announces the acquisition of e-commerce company The Corporate Connection, based in the Boston area, and a complete rebranding of the former Holmes Stamp & Sign. Finalized on March 9 for an undisclosed amount, negotiations with the previous owners of The Corporate Connection began in December of 2016, according to Holmes Custom CEO and Owner Bryan Croft." Read the full article here.

 

February 27th, 2017: 63-Year-Old Company, Holmes Stamp & Sign, Changes Name

 "Holmes Stamp and Sign, a Jacksonville-based manufacturer of rubber stamps, name tags, custom signs and other personalized office products since 1954, has changed its name to Holmes Custom. The Company says the reason for the name change is very simple –“We are so much more than stamps and signs,” says CEO and owner Bryan Croft." Read the press release here.

 

May 18th, 2016: Rapid Hiring and Growth for Jacksonville Business: Holmes Stamp & Sign

 "Jacksonville-based Holmes Stamp and Sign (HSC) is reporting rapid growth from online sales of their custom name tags, desk plates, signs, banners, stamps and other personalized office products and gifts. As a result, they are adding jobs at an unprecedented pace in company history. The new hire starting on May 23rd marks the Company’s fifth full time hire in less than a month." Read the press release here.