Boise-based office equipment and information technology services provider Fisher’s Technology Inc. has acquired Spokane Valley-based ABC Office Equipment Co.

Chris Taylor, Fisher’s president and CEO, says the company completed its acquisition of ABC Office Equipment May 1 and has converted the company’s two stores, located at 7322 E. Broadway, in Spokane Valley, and at 164 S. Main, in Colville, to the Fisher’s brand.

Taylor says Fisher’s has hired all 15 of ABC Office Equipment’s employees and plans to hire up to five more people soon.

“We do want to grow in the market, so we will be adding more staff over time,” he says. “Right now, we’re focused on making our new employees feel at home and keeping our customers happy before contemplating growth strategies.”

Taylor declines to disclose the terms of the transaction, which marks Fisher’s Technology’s first expansion into Washington.

“Prior to this, all of our physical locations were in southern Idaho and Montana, so adding Spokane and northern Idaho is a nice geographic fit for us,” he says. “Many of our leadership team here at Fisher’s are also University of Idaho graduates, so Spokane and northern Idaho feel a lot like home for us.”

Taylor says the two companies share a similar culture and offer comparable products and services, which also factored into the decision to pursue the acquisition.

“We also share the same views on how we treat our employees and our customers,” he says. “We see this as a great fit and an excellent opportunity.”

Of the former ABC store’s former locations, Taylor says, “We didn’t purchase the real estate, but we did sign long-term leases and have taken over the facilities and retained their same employees,” he says.

Founded in 1954, ABC Office Equipment was an employee-owned company offering a full line of office equipment, including copiers, fax machines, printing, and voice products.

Mike Brandon, former president and CEO of ABC Office Equipment, retired last week, after more than 50 years in the office equipment industry.

Fisher’s Technology is an 82-year-old company that was founded in Boise, Idaho, and that operates four offices in Idaho and five in Montana.

Fisher’s manages IT systems, sells and services copiers and printers, and streamlines business operations with electronic document management and related software.