Gannett to print Buy & Sell classifieds

Advertiser Staff

The Honolulu Advertiser's owner, Gannett Pacific Corp., said it purchased the assets of Ladd Publishing, the owner of Buy & Sell, a free classified newspaper published twice weekly and distributed statewide.

The move comes a week after Gannett Pacific announced it would buy Pennysaver, an O'ahu classified publication, from Hawai'i Publications Inc.

In addition to Buy & Sell, the assets of Ladd Publishing include the weekly Maui Happy Ads, which is distributed on Maui; First Choice Signs, an O'ahu-based sign manufacturer; and Designer Printers, which does preprint design. The companies did not release terms of the purchase.

Gannett Pacific President Michael Fisch, who is also publisher of The Advertiser, said all of Ladd Publishing's 17 employees will be hired by Gannett Pacific and the publications will continue as before.

"We will retain all the employees and look forward to providing them the resources to develop their publications even further," said Fisch.

Fisch said Gannett Pacific is not planning any other purchases. "At this point in time, that's the end of the acquisitions," he said.

Gannett Pacific bought Ladd Publishing from owners Dennis and Jennifer Guthmiller, who founded the company in 1987. Before starting Ladd Publishing, the Guthmillers worked for Pennysaver. They will continue to manage Buy & Sell as part of Gannett Pacific's community newspaper group, Pacific Media Publications. Dennis Guthmiller will serve as general manager of Buy & Sell's operation.

Ladd Publications classified papers were previously printed by Midweek Printing Inc., publisher of Midweek and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, said Dennis Guthmiller. After the purchase, it will be printed on Gannett Pacific presses, he said.

Buy & Sell distributes 56,000 copies weekly on O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island. Maui Happy Ads has a distribution of 6,000.

Pennysaver distributes 50,500 free copies weekly at 800 locations on O'ahu.