COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2761

Manifold Business Forms

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

18companies1909–1967founding years18still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedEnnis Business Forms, Inc.FoundedEnnis Business Forms, Inc.
1909
FoundedStandard Register Co.FoundedStandard Register Co.
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedDeluxe CorporationFoundedDeluxe Corporation
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedThe Mead CorporationFoundedThe Mead Corporation
1930
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedNew England Business Services, Inc.FoundedNew England Business Services, Inc.
1952
FoundedDuplex Products Inc.FoundedDuplex Products Inc.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedParis CorporationFoundedParis Corporation
1964
FoundedAmerican Business Products, Inc.FoundedAmerican Business Products, Inc.FoundedBig Flower Press Holdings, Inc.FoundedBig Flower Press Holdings, Inc.
1967
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Ennis Business Forms, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
One of the largest suppliers of business forms in the United States, Ennis Business Forms, Inc.
Ennis Business Forms, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
One of the largest suppliers of business forms in the United States, Ennis Business Forms, Inc.
Standard Register Co. →
Active · founded 1912
With about ten percent of the $7.3 billion domestic market, the Standard Register Co.
Standard Register Co. →
Active · founded 1912
With about ten percent of the $7.3 billion domestic market, the Standard Register Co.
Deluxe Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
A shining example of a company built upon the right idea at the right time, Deluxe Corporation is the largest supplier…
Deluxe Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
A shining example of a company built upon the right idea at the right time, Deluxe Corporation is the largest supplier…
The Mead Corporation →
Active · founded 1930
The Mead Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of paper (producing more than 1.7 million tons each…
The Mead Corporation →
Active · founded 1930
The Mead Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of paper (producing more than 1.7 million tons each…
New England Business Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
As small offices across North America become increasingly automated because of the advances in computer software and…
New England Business Services, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
As small offices across North America become increasingly automated because of the advances in computer software and…
Duplex Products Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Duplex Products Inc.
Duplex Products Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Duplex Products Inc.
Paris Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Paris Corporation is a holding company with, in 1997, two operating companies of its main subsidiary manufacturing…
Paris Corporation →
Active · founded 1964
Paris Corporation is a holding company with, in 1997, two operating companies of its main subsidiary manufacturing…
American Business Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
American Business Products, Inc.
American Business Products, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
American Business Products, Inc.
Big Flower Press Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Big Flower Press Holdings, Inc.
Big Flower Press Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Big Flower Press Holdings, Inc.
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