The History of Navitor

Every company has its unique story and history that shapes who they are, how they operate, and what they value. Navitor is no exception. As a recognized leader in wholesale printing, we are often asked:

• Who is Navitor?
• Where does the name “Navitor” come from?
• How long have you been in business?

The purpose of this article is to share our story and offer a closer look at how our company — today known as Navitor — evolved into one of the largest personalized print providers in the country.

Who is Navitor?

Navitor, a subsidiary of the Taylor Corporation, is a trade-only commercial printer that provides personalized business products to a network of print reseller members throughout North America. From business cards, stamps and signs to banners and presentation folders, we supply our network of members with a wide range of customized business stationery and office products. A G7® Master Printer, we support our members with high-quality, sustainable, convenient and dependable production facilities across the country.

Where does the name “Navitor” come from?

With roots in the word “navigation,” our company name implies guidance and the role of pathfinder. We strive to help our member customers thrive as marketing and creative businesses that provide their clients with unique and valuable personalized business products. We feel the Navitor name also makes a strong connection to innovation and technology, two strong attributes of our business.

How long has Navitor been in business?

Navitor was formed in 2008, when Carlson Craft Business Solutions, Regency, Cosco and Label Works — all independent entities of Taylor that specialized in personalized business printing solutions — merged to create one unified brand.

While our company name and structure is fairly new, the history of Navitor dates much further back — more than 60 years. To truly appreciate the history and breadth of printing experience we bring to the industry, we must first tell the stories of the four companies who merged to create Navitor.

Carlson Craft

Carlson Craft’s founders, Bill and Betty Carlson, started the company in their family room in Mankato, Minnesota as a part-time business venture in 1948. With little more equipment than a Remington typewriter, the couple mailed out 50 letters to local business firms and individuals to promote the Carlson Letter Service. Very quickly they decided they wanted to be a wholesale supplier of wedding stationery.

Over the years the company underwent many name changes. In 1957, it became Carlson Wedding Service. In 1970, at the same time Bill Carlson announced his retirement, the company became Carlson Craft. Carlson built a name for itself, not only for manufacturing high-quality wedding invitations and stationery products, but also for being a great place to work. In fact in 1959, Glen Taylor, then a college student, got one of his first jobs with the company — first operating a stamp machine and then becoming a paper cutter. Today, he is founder, chairman, and CEO of Navitor’s parent company, Taylor Corporation.

In 1989, Carlson Craft started to diversify, expanding their product lines to serve not only the wedding market, but also the custom-printing needs of businesses in general. To better serve their two distinct customers, Carlson Craft was split into two businesses: Carlson Craft and Carlson Craft Commercial. Today, Carlson Craft continues to operate, catering to the more “social” aspects of life, while Carlson Craft Commercial went on to create the strong commercial foundation on which Navitor is built.

In 2004, Carlson Craft Commercial became Carlson Craft Business Solutions Group. Encompassing three more divisions (Label Works, Specialty Products and Folders), the goal of the new structure was to provide personalized products and services for the custom commercial printing marketplace through one point of contact.

Cosco

In 2006, Taylor acquired COSCO Industries. Founded in 1893, COSCO was a small company with a big reputation for customized rubber stamps and engraved signs. COSCO was considered a good fit for Carlson Craft Business Solutions Group and ultimately became part of the company, yet still operates under its own well-known brand name.

Regency

While Regency claims fewer name changes and acquisitions, the company’s history is equally robust. Formed after World War II in New York City, it became one of the first trade sources for custom-printed social and commercial items. Regency developed a strong partnership with Williamhouse, a converter of envelopes, holiday cards and stationery items and ultimately became Williamhouse’s biggest customer. In 1967, these two companies merged and continued to flourish across the country. In the early 1990’s the market changed and the company’s owners elected to sell the company. American Pad and Paper (Ampad) purchased the converting side of the business and Regency was sold to Taylor in 1996.

Label Works

The fourth entity, Label Works, manufactures custom-printed, pressure-sensitive labels and has been in operation since 1989. Originally the label division of Carlson Craft, Label Works is known for the ability to make uniquely shaped and oddly sized labels affordable.

Navitor Today

In 2008, the four companies combined to create Navitor. The goal of creating this combined company was to better serve customers by providing a breadth of offerings and focusing on the qualities that have made each company a long-standing leader in the field. As a result of this merger, Navitor became one of the nation’s largest custom-print providers with many loyal and long-standing customers across the continent.

Today, Navitor remains headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota and operates print production facilities across the United States in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois and Minnesota, plus manufacturing partners in Idaho and Texas. We are a company of dedicated, passionate employees — some who have been with the company more than 40 years — who share an appreciation for craftsmanship and the artisan skill of printing.  We are dedicated to our member’s business success and producing the best quality personalized products in the industry.