A Legacy of Quality Service and Technical Support Continues with New Leadership
MSL is proud to announce that we are celebrating our 40th anniversary of business as of June 15th this year. In 1984, Douglas Barrett founded this company with the goal of providing high-quality service to his customers. He had been working for another company who was providing substandard support for their customers and learned from that situation how to do business the right way. After four decades of great success, we can be sure that this formula is a key to what makes us stand out among a wide variety of suppliers.
The History Behind MSL’s 40th Anniversary
Originally named ‘Quick Printers Repair,’ Doug began the business from his small house in Flint, working alongside his two young children, myself and my sister. Our mother, Ellen Barrett, joined the company to help and the rest is history. Over time, the product lines changed and grew as well as our customers. Today, we have a full service department with an excellent reputation. Fixing problems the right way and getting it done quickly is the foundation of good support.
Over 40 years, the industry has changed a tremendous amount. Technology has advanced at an incredible rate. The old offset Toko duplicators we started with are now relics of the past. Our modern equipment is incredibly sophisticated and has a high level of automation. Over time, we have shifted more into the print finishing side of the business with our incredible partners at Standard Finishing and Horizon. We began selling paper cutters, paper folders, booklet makers, and perfect binders. This evolution is part of our celebration for the MSL 40th Anniversary.
The relationships we’ve built with our customers are more than just business; they are the heart of our company. Some of our original clients have grown up by our side and we have a lot of pride in watching them find success with us as their partner. We’re now in our third building, and have developed a new machine shop to support this new phase of business happening in 2024.
A Family Business
In February of this year, Doug and Ellen decided to transition into retirement. Business ownership is hard work, and after decades in the business Doug and Ellen have earned their well-deserved downtime. We’re incredibly grateful for their vision and leadership, and the strong foundation they’ve built. Their accomplishments are especially significant as we celebrate the MSL 40th Anniversary.
Sarah and I are now operating as business partners. We have both been active in the business for more than 20 years and have spent that time learning every piece of the puzzle. Steven is acting as President and Sarah is the treasurer. We understand the importance of protecting those core values that have made this company so successful, servicing our customers with expert technical support and high-quality customer support.
Our success wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our vendors and suppliers. They are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, going above and beyond to ensure we can deliver for our customers. We deeply appreciate their partnership and trust.
Thank You for Your Support
The future is very bright! Automation continues to be a prime topic for equipment buyers who are struggling with labor and turnaround times. Our product lines are becoming more sophisticated and complex, which only amplifies the need for quality support and customer service. At the same time, we’re watching delivery times and deadlines become shorter and shorter. We know that no matter how much things change, some things always remain the same; we’re always going to be here to back you up.
As time goes forward, we will continue to improve our operations to be even more responsive and agile. We have plans to implement new tracking systems, website expansions and video content to help you find the solutions you need. And as always, we are here to answer any questions or concerns you may run into.
I want to personally thank you all for helping MSL to reach our 40th anniversary. We would never have made it this far without our customers, vendors, suppliers, and our friends all placing their faith in us and giving us the chance to succeed. I promise to never take any of you for granted and we will always remember that it’s you who made us who we are. Celebrating the MSL 40th Anniversary is truly a testament to our incredible community.
Best,
Steven Barrett
