Anderson & Vreeland, a technology solutions provider focused on customer support, is marking its 65th anniversary. The leading company commenced operations in January 1961. Since that time, A&V has consistently served the flexographic industry, evolving its offerings and expanding its reach to meet the dynamic needs of its clientele.

With a network of eight warehouses spanning three time zones, the company’s skilled sales consultants and robust support infrastructure are dedicated to fulfilling customer requirements with speed and effectiveness.

“Our 65-year journey has been defined by continuing to treat our people as part of the family, an enduring vision that my father and Andy Anderson instilled when they founded this company,” says Howard Vreeland, Jr. “We are thrilled to continue building on that legacy by delivering unparalleled service and innovative solutions that help our customer base thrive and achieve their highest potential.”

From the start, Anderson & Vreeland has been instrumental in shaping the flexographic industry. Founded by Andy Anderson and Howard Vreeland Sr., the company has consistently introduced pioneering technologies and expanded its capabilities.

Legacy timeline

• 1980: Introduced Toyobo Printight to the US market. This marked the arrival of the first water-wash dry offset and letterpress polymer plate.  
• 1986:  Expands internationally with the acquistion of Williamson & Co in Holland.
• 1993:  Cosmolight, the world’s first water-wash flexographic plate from Toyobo, emerges in North America through Anderson & Vreeland.
• 2003: The A&V engineering team developed the Flexolaser, an advanced Computer to Plate (CTP) system.
• 2004: Became the primary North American distributor for BASF nyloflex photopolymer printing plates across the US and Canada. This provided customers with a comprehensive digital flexography workflow. In the same year, the engineering team constructed the first Orbital X 2430 water-wash photopolymer processor, which remains operational today.
• 2005: Acquired Akron Graphic Supply, a distributor of flexographic printing materials serving the western US. The company also integrated Nova Polymers, a manufacturer of photopolymer sign materials and equipment, as a wholly owned subsidiary.
• 2007: Acquired Custom Flex, a manufacturer and supplier of Doctor Blades and End Seals, now known as Provident, LLC.
• 2009: Launched its full line of AVantage Liquid Photopolymers, produced at its Bryan, OH, laboratory. Additionally, A&V introduced AVCE, a high-performance direct engraving material for the letterpress and dry offset markets. The engineering team also designed the Demounter 77, a specialized solution for delaminating mounted printing plates from printing sleeves.
• 2011: Acquired Flexolutions, a leading distributor of flexographic materials in Canada.
• 2012:  Acquired The Provident Group, a manufacturer and supplier of Doctor Blades and End Seals. 
• 2018: Installed the first AVxpose unit in Ohio, an exposure system for digital imaging and thermal applications. It was subsequently updated in 2024 with enhanced automation, including a PLC interface and LED touchscreen.
• 2023: Acquired Grimco’s flexographic division to further strengthen its presence and support in Canada.
• 2024: Acquired Adheso-Graphics, a manufacturer of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes for various printing applications, including corrugated, wide web, narrow web, offset, and letterpress.

About Anderson & Vreeland

Anderson & Vreeland operates as a family-run enterprise, and it maintains a strong commitment to its customers. Beyond distributing global flexographic supplies and equipment, the company manufactures its own line of consumables and equipment at its Bryan, OH, facility.

The organization functions as a valuable resource, employing a consultative method to identify effective and advanced technologies within its portfolio. This approach involves educating customers on how these products can improve their financial outcomes, followed by seamless integration of solutions through its in-house field service team and industry-leading partner relationships.