80 Years of Friendship at Work: The Story of FriendsOffice
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In 2025, FriendsOffice celebrates a major milestone—80 years in business. And while we’ve given the anniversary a proud place on the cover of our new full-line catalog (you can request one for free with any order on friendsoffice.com), we’ve got so much more in store this year to commemorate where we’ve been—and where we’re going.
From a Local Shop to a Multi-State Supplier
The story of FriendsOffice began in the heart of small-town Ohio in 1945. After returning from service in World War II, Captain Don Friend opened Friends Office Supply in downtown Wapakoneta. It was the kind of shop where relationships mattered and neighbors supported one another. That spirit still drives us today.
In the decades that followed, the business grew through a shared commitment to service, reliability, and knowing our customers by name.
By the 1990s, the foundation was laid for what we are today. Ken Schroeder and Dale Alt, lifelong friends and founders of Evans Business Machines, purchased Friends, Inc. in 1994—merging their Lima-based business with the Wapakoneta store and moving the company’s base to Main Street in Findlay.
Rapid growth followed. Between 1997 and 2000, we built a new headquarters on Bright Road, expanded into furniture, launched friendsoffice.com, and began growing our team across Ohio.
Rebranding, Relationships, and Real Service
By 2003, we had fully merged under one name and became Friends Business Source—taking a strong step into the business-to-business space and becoming a trusted source for CFOs, purchasing managers, and admins across the region.
In 2015, we rebranded once more as FriendsOffice—a nod to both our history and the evolving workplace. We continued to grow, acquiring trusted local suppliers and bringing new talent into the fold—all while staying true to our values.
We celebrated our 30th anniversary under current ownership in 2021. Since then, we’ve expanded across five states, added a commercial print shop to our capabilities, and built a team that’s as talented as it is passionate. And while we’ve modernized a lot of what we do, we’ve never lost what truly matters most: the people.
Celebrating 80 Years in 2025
Now, in our 80th year, we’re looking both backward and forward.
We’re proud of our past—but we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. Yes, we’ve embraced technology with streamlined online ordering, auto-toner replenishment, new product lines, and upgraded account dashboards. But what makes us different is that we’ve never lost the personal touch.
- When you chat with us online, a real person is on the other end.
- When you email or call, someone who knows your business will answer.
- You have an account manager who understands your industry, your goals, and what you need to succeed.
- Our furniture installers take extreme care assembling each piece exactly as you and our designers planned.
- And your deliveries come on our trucks, with our drivers, who go the extra mile to make sure your order is on time and intact.
In an era when fast and cheap often win out over friendly and reliable, we’re holding strong to the belief that relationships still matter. That’s how we’ve made it to 80—and how we’ll move forward together.
A Promise That Still Holds True
From our earliest days to now, the promise remains the same: you’ve got a Friend in the business.
And in 2025, we’re celebrating that promise more than ever.
Want to celebrate with us? Request a catalog, swing by one of our showrooms, or connect with your account manager to see what’s new this year. We’d love to hear from you—and grab you a cup of coffee while we’re at it.