MONTREAL—Used offset equipment specialist Stewart has aligned with PDS Pressdown to exclusively sell the dealership's line of graphic art equipment in the Montreal area.

Stewart will now also offer new digital equipment. "As you know, offset is kind of going down a little bit," said Bob Vallee, vice-president of Stewart. Wanting to expand the company's scope, Vallee said he and president Michel Madore approached PDS owner Dave Kisiloski with the idea for the strategic alliance.


Left to right: Dave Kisiloski, Brett Kisiloski and Mark Flannigan from PDS Pressdown pose with Stewart's Bob Vallee at Grafik'Art Montreal 2013

"I've been studying Dave for awhile, just seeing how the company was going, and I liked it," Vallee said. "He's a very good businessman and a very honest person."

Stewart will carry PDS' full catalogue, including the Rapid X1 label printer, the Eclipse LF3 digital label cutter, the Opus hardcover book binding system, and more. As with its offset business, Stewart will also handle installation and service.

"We carry a wide range of equipment and they have the ability to sell it," said Brett Kisiloski, PDS sales manager. "I think it's an asset in this province that we speak the language," added Vallee, noting that any letters PDS mails to Quebec are also now in French.

PDS Pressdown was established in Toronto in 1984. The current incarnation of Stewart is the result of a merger between Stewart, which started in Quebec over 100 years ago, and Vallee Graphics, founded by Vallee in 1982. Vallee Graphics acquired Stewart a few years ago after owner Richard Berlinguette passed away.