Lake Oswego, Ore.-based J. Thayer Co., an independent office supply company, has acquired longtime Coeur d’Alene concern Interstate Office Supply.

Interstate, which was founded 68 years ago, is now operating under the J. Thayer Co. name.

The Coeur d’Alene location, at 3640 N. Cedarblom, will be J. Thayer Co.’s sixth location, says company President John Thayer. Its other locations are in Western Washington, Oregon, and California.

“We do business all over the West,” Thayer says, adding that the company also delivers some drop shipments in Montana.

J. Thayer Co. also is looking at the Spokane market.

“We continue to look for opportunities to grow the business,” Thayer says. “If we move west from Coeur d’Alene, there’s a lot of opportunities. We’ll have more of a presence there as time goes on.”

The company focuses on direct sales to businesses rather than retail sales.

“It’s all business-to-business sales mainly through our website, our sales team, and our customer service team,” Thayer says.

Gary Ulvan, former owner of Interstate Office Supply, and two other experienced sales representatives will stay on as the Coeur d’Alene sales force, Thayer says. 

“Gary and his team have done a great job, and we want to continue with their solid presence,” Thayer says. “Our business is really about relationships with customers. We’ll continue to improve on those relationships and offer the same level of local services.”

The Coeur d’Alene location also has two delivery drivers who will provide delivery and stock products to customers’ specifications, he says.

Thayer says the company’s resources will augment the back-office side of the Coeur d’Alene operation.

“A larger company can bring in more technology and efficiencies to make it more sustainable in the long run,” he says.

J. Thayer Co. has access to 48 nationwide distribution centers and carries more than 25,000 items, which Thayer claims is nearly twice as many items as some of its national competitors. Items include office, computer, copier, cleaning, and breakroom supplies.

The company also carries printing supplies and office furniture.

J. Thayer Co. is a 55-year-old company.