Geiger Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Walter W. Cribbins Co.

Former associates of the Walter W. Cribbins Co., along with members of the Lewiston, Maine-based Geiger management and sales team, gathered in Seattle to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding. The company also honored the memory of the company’s previous president, Carl Rosenfeld.

Walter Wallace Cribbins founded the company in 1915 in San Francisco. In the mid-1950s, Cribbins and Rosenfeld forged a business relationship. Eventually, Cribbins sold the company to Rosenfeld.

“Carl Rosenfeld was a significant presence in the industry, on a worldwide basis, as well as my mentor,” shared Jo-an Lantz, chief operating officer for Geiger. “Carl received hundreds of awards, culminating in the receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award this past spring. Carl also oversaw the merging of two professional organizations, the ASNA and the Guild, which later became known as PPAI. He served as the last president of the merged organizations and the first chairman of PPAI. He is also a Hall of Fame member of PPAI, and an honored member of World Advertising Gift Exchange.”

The company grew in what was referred to as the specialty advertising industry, expanding its reach beyond California to include Washington, Oregon and Hawaii. Ed Johnson, MAS, joined the company in 1973, purchasing the Northwestern division of the company from Rosenfeld in 1983. Johnson served as PPAI chair in 1996.

“Under the Johnsons' leadership, the Walter W. Cribbins Co. grew to become one of the premier promotional products companies in the industry,” said Jim Habzda Sr., vice president of sales and marketing for Geiger. “One of the many contributions of the Walter W. Cribbins Co. was the volunteering of over 1,000 hours each year to a nonprofit or charitable organization. Ed Johnson, also very active in the industry, served on its board of directors as chair in 1996. He was honored with a lifetime membership shortly thereafter."

In 2001, Ed and Tayna Johnson sold the company to Geiger, and have remained an active presence in the Northwest.

The event was an opportunity for those affiliated with the Walter W. Cribbins Co., currently and in the past, to share memories and honor those who were key to the success of the company.

For more information on Geiger, visit www.geiger.com.