Fleet Business Products Joins Grossman Marketing Group

Fleet Business Products was founded in 1987 by John Fleet in East Hartford, Connecticut. The company focused on products that many businesses use every day. It supplied printed forms, envelopes, and promotional items for companies in Connecticut and beyond.

Printed forms include documents such as invoices, order forms, and business paperwork. Promotional items are products with a company name or logo on them, such as pens, notebooks, bags, or shirts. These products help businesses stay visible and connect with customers.

Over the years, Fleet became known for helping financial companies and other businesses manage these important materials. Customers relied on the company for both everyday business supplies and branded merchandise.

Why Did Grossman Marketing Group Expand?

Grossman Marketing Group is a family-run print and promotional products company based in Somerville, Massachusetts. The business has been operating for more than 105 years and is now led by the fourth generation of the same family.

Like many long-standing companies, Grossman has grown over time by adding new services and serving more customers. The acquisition of Fleet Business Products helped strengthen Grossman's presence in Connecticut and expanded its ability to support businesses throughout the region.

As part of the deal, Grossman also took over Fleet's Vermont operations. This gave the company a broader reach across New England while keeping a strong focus on print and promotional products.

What Changed After the Acquisition?

When a business is acquired, some things change, and some stay the same. In this case, Fleet Business Products became a division of Grossman Marketing Group. The East Hartford office moved to Grossman's Hartford location, bringing the teams together under one roof.

For customers, the change was not simply about a new owner. It also meant access to additional services. Grossman offers graphic design, company-owned warehouses, and an in-house technology team that builds online ordering systems for customers.

These services can make it easier for businesses to manage printing, promotional products, storage, and ordering in one place.

A Simple Example

Imagine a small insurance agency in Connecticut. For years, it ordered printed forms and envelopes from Fleet. The agency also needed branded notebooks and employee gifts, but those items came from a different vendor.

After the acquisition, the agency could continue ordering its forms while also getting branded merchandise through the same organization. The business would still have access to familiar services, but with more options available through one provider.

How Does This Fit Into Grossman's Long History?

This acquisition was not an isolated event. Two years earlier, Grossman had acquired ASAP Inc., another Connecticut promotional products company based in Norwalk.

Together, these acquisitions show a steady pattern of growth. Rather than expanding quickly into unrelated areas, Grossman has continued building its print and promotional products business across New England.

That approach fits the company's long history as a family-run organization. Businesses that have operated for many decades often focus on gradual growth and long-term customer relationships.

More Services for Businesses

Today, many companies want more than just printing. They may need custom apparel, event giveaways, online company stores, warehousing, and shipping support.

Grossman's broader service offering helps meet those needs. Its graphic design team can create artwork, its warehouses can store products, and its technology team can support online ordering programs for employees, customers, or events.

That combination can be especially useful for organizations that want a single partner for both print and promotional projects.

The Role of Fleet in the Bigger Picture

In the middle of this growth story is Fleet Business Products, which became part of Grossman Marketing Group as a way to strengthen Connecticut operations and expand services for existing customers. The move brought together Fleet's experience with printed forms and promotional items and Grossman's broader capabilities in design, warehousing, technology, and fulfillment.

Looking Ahead

Business acquisitions can sound complicated, but they are often about combining strengths. Fleet Business Products brought decades of experience serving Connecticut businesses. Grossman Marketing Group brought a larger network, additional services, and more than a century of industry experience.

For customers, the goal is usually simple: continue getting reliable products and support while gaining access to more resources. In this case, the acquisition reflects a steady effort to build a stronger regional business while keeping the focus on helping organizations with their printing and promotional needs.

That is why the story is not just about one company buying another. It is also about how two businesses with similar roots came together to serve customers across Connecticut, Vermont, and the wider New England region.