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Burlington Graphic Systems, Inc, ( BGS ) Racine, Wisconsin, a major designer of exterior graphic designs for Indiana's recreational vehicle industry, announced today that they have reunited with their former design and sales resource in Middlebury, Indiana, Julius Barth & Associates, Inc. ( JBA ) through an acquisition of the Barth corporation. The Barth corporation served BGS as independent manufacturer's representative from 1996 to 2004.In this change, JBA will become a BGS division, and Christopher Barth, president of JBA, will join the staff of BGS as director of marketing and brand development. Chris will continue to be supported by local field customer service representatives as well as design staff, who will also move to BGS to support the sales effort. The senior Barth, who holds a degree in organic chemistry specializing in vinyl films, will become a technical consultant exclusively to BGS.Chris Barth, who has worked at JBA for over 13 years, announced that the corporation founded by his father Julius Barth 29 years ago, decided it was time to change their business structure. "We feel that joining BGS is in the best interests of our customers, " Barth said. "I am proud to become part of one of the largest screen printing companies in the U.S. With their staff of 120, working three shifts a day in an ISO-9001-compliant facility, BGS has already proven that they have the capacity, flexibility and experience to serve RV manufacturers, from the smallest to the largest."BGS President Mark Edwards said, "Chris, like myself, has grown up in this industry, " Edwards said. "His reputation as a talented designer attuned to his customers' needs and budgets, along with a unique sense of consumer trends, means he will gain market share for Burlington. We are equipped and ready to support Chris. We also want to recognize Julius Barth, who has mentored his son and many others while serving the RV industry for almost three decades."Dale Poling, BGS vice-president of sales, explained that Barth will be operating from Burlington's field office and design center at 1040 All Pro Drive, Elkhart, Indiana. Poling said, "While we are proud of the great designs created at Burlington, as well as our success in manufacturing and outstanding service, the Barth group also has a reputation for great design and service. Both of us have had the industry's top-selling brands on our client lists. The future looks bright indeed, especially with Chris's proven ability to help companies grow through the power of excellent design and strategic branding."Edwards also said, "BGS has invested heavily in design services and specialized equipment for the RV industry. Today, we provide maximum flexibility with fast response to the needs of both product managers and production lines. With the addition of Chris and team to strengthen our active sales force in Indiana, we expect to work very successfully with our customers to recover from the current economic slowdown." He also said, "We welcome Barth & Associates as a new division to help accomplish that."Burlington Graphic Systems, Racine, Wisconsin, is a 30-year-old, employee-owned corporation through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ( ESOP ). It is one of the nation's largest screen printers, operating in a 55, 000-sq.-ft. facility on the far south side of the city, 70 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the design and production of exterior graphics for the RV industry, the company also supplies a variety of graphics and markings to such industries as motorcycle, agricultural, power sports and original equipment manufacturers ( OEM ), along with point-of-purchase ( POP ) graphics.Phone 574.825.2323Fax 574.825.2145Postfach 612, IN 46540 Middlebury