112-Year-Old Pasadena Office Equipment Firm Acquired by Las Vegas Company

Anderson Business Technology, one of Pasadena’s oldest continuously operating businesses, has been acquired by Las Vegas-based Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS). 

The sale marks the end of over a century of family full ownership for the 112-year-old office equipment company, which has been a fixture in Old Pasadena.

Founded in 1912 by C. Elmer Anderson, a 22-year-old typewriter repairman from Illinois, Anderson Business Technology began in a tin-roof loft above a stationery shop on East Colorado Boulevard. The company quickly grew, securing dealerships for Royal and Smith Corona typewriters by 1916.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving our long-term business objectives,” said Gary Harouff, president of Advanced Imaging Solutions. “We are thrilled to welcome Anderson Business Technology and their esteemed customers into the Advanced Imaging Solutions family.”

David Anderson, the current president and grandson of the founder, expressed optimism about the company’s future under new ownership. 

“We are excited about this new chapter as part of the Advanced Imaging Solutions family,” Anderson said.

Throughout its history, Anderson Business Technology adapted to changing technologies, transitioning from typewriters to modern office equipment like copiers and multifunctional devices. The company weathered significant challenges, offering free typing classes during the Great Depression and relying on service and rental of older typewriters during World War II.

Advanced Imaging Solutions, which provides a range of office technology solutions, will now expand its reach into Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles region. The acquisition was finalized earlier in July, though financial terms were not disclosed.

Existing customers of Anderson Business Technology will continue to work with familiar team members and use the same contact information. Advanced Imaging Solutions has emphasized that the deal will provide clients access to an expanded suite of technology solutions and services.

The roots of Anderson Business Technology are deeply intertwined with Pasadena’s history. In its early years, the company’s clientele included notable figures such as Mr. Wrigley of chewing gum fame and Vice President Charles Warren Fairbanks.

In 2012, Anderson Business Technology celebrated its centennial, receiving recognition from the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the United States Congress for its contributions to the local community and economy.

The sale of Anderson Business Technology represents a significant shift in Pasadena’s business landscape, marking the end of an era for one of the city’s most enduring family-owned enterprises. The company currently operates from its location at 120 E. Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena.