MARION - A longtime Marion business owner has joined forces with a larger office supply company. Pat Haley, who founded Haley Office Equipment in 1991, has merged with Louisville-based OfficeWare, an award-winning provider of document management and print solutions.

The merger will add several hundred customers to OfficeWare's existing client base in Marion and will greatly increase the firm's revenue and presence in the marketplace.

The combined companies will operate under the OfficeWare banner.

OfficeWare's current staff and equipment will be relocated into Haley's headquarters at 1107 N. Court St. Several key members of the Haley team will continue to work with OfficeWare, including Pat Haley.

"It was time for me to hand the reins over," Haley said. "I will be retained as a major account salesman and am very grateful."

Haley said the merger made good sense to him because technological changes in the industry would have required a greater monetary investment on his part.

"We've grown from a one-person operation out of my house to a 12-employee company," Haley said. "Fortunately, most of our employees are staying with us."

A native of Manhattan, Ill., Haley said he has lived in the Carterville area the last 25 years.

He now has two grown sons, Trent, a Missouri state trooper, and Brett, a senior at SIUC.

OfficeWare President Rick Maxwell said the transition should be seamless as Haley's Gestetner machine base and OfficeWare's Lanier equipment are both part of the Ricoh family of products.

Maxwell said Haley Office Equipment shares OfficeWare's high level of commitment to the customer.

"We believe by combining these two organizations, we will be a much stronger competitor in the Marion area," he said. "The increase in product offerings, combined with a larger staff and outstanding service, will be a true benefit for the customer."

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805