Paul Bunyan Communications Purchases Phone System Division of North Country Business Products

(Bemidji, MN) (October 22, 2013) – Paul Bunyan Communications has reached an agreement with North Country Business Products (NCBP) to purchase its phone system division, the two companies announced today.

"Paul Bunyan Communications and North Country Business Products are established local companies with a strong commitment to community," said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications Chief Executive Officer, "This purchase will strengthen our cooperative as we continue to provide high quality phone system sales and services. We are also expanding our advanced business voice and data services throughout the region so the timing of this purchase coincides perfectly.”

“As our company continues to grow and focus on point of sale systems and business solutions to include multifunction copiers, office furniture and business supplies, we felt now was the right time to sell our phone system division,” said Dean Crotty, North Country Business Products President. “We know from our own business interactions with the cooperative the high level of services they provide. Paul Bunyan Communications is one of the most progressive communication service providers in the country and it was very important to us to ensure our phone system customers will continue to receive a high level of sales and service. There is no doubt that will happen with Paul Bunyan Communications. ”

“We have great respect for Dean Crotty and the employees of North Country Business Products,” added Johnson, “they have been committed to providing high quality phone system services at an affordable rate with professional local service for a long time. We worked together often as the phone service provider to many of their phone systems. It is a natural acquisition for us both in terms of business philosophy and geography.”

North Country Business Products has evolved from a single office supply and equipment store into 16 locations focused on Point-of-Sale, Business Equipment and Supply Solutions throughout the Midwest. It is a well-diversified company with services including equipment and supply sales, installation, and help desk support.

Paul Bunyan Communications has been offering the latest in communication services to Northern Minnesota since 1952. Paul Bunyan Communications is a cooperative providing communication services including local and long distance phone service, Broadband High-Speed Internet, Digital Mitel phone systems, Data Storage & Backup, Internet services through Paul Bunyan Net, television service through Paul Bunyan Television, and more.