Change is a part of any business — sometimes change brings a business back to where it was meant to be.

Western Associates has been a perennial fixture in Marion for 55 years and now ownership of the business has returned solely to the Crofoot family — Jim and Dave Crofoot and Pam Bowers.

Andy Hansen bought a share of the business in December 2004. As of Sept. 1, Hansen purchased Express Print and Signs, separating the Salina-based company from the parent company. Hansen is no longer associated with Western Associates.

Other changes include Denzel Lane of Marion replacing Russ Hake as the information technology manager. Hake joined Hansen at the Salina company.

Western Associates was founded in the early 1950s by I.H. Walter, who operated it from his residence at Marion County Lake. He sold it to Graham Grimwood of Cedar Point. When Grimwood died shortly after the purchase, the family sold it to Grimwood’s nephew, John Crofoot, and his wife, Marian, of Cedar Point. The entire business came home in two orange crates.

At that time, John Crofoot’s full-time job was helping to run the family’s feedlot but a drought forced Crofoot to look elsewhere to support his family. He began selling advertising promotional products to businesses to give to their customers — pens, rain gauges, and knickknacks.

The company slowly grew. Crofoot continued to work at the family ranching, farming, and livestock feeding business. He also served as a state Senator.

In 1974, the company had its first $1 million year in sales. A building was constructed in Cedar Point to handle orders from sales staff. As the business grew, the Crofoots saw more office help move away from Cedar Point and the Crofoot children were moving closer to Marion.

In 1983, the company purchased a building on Main Street in Marion and it has been there since.

There are 35 employees in all who work for Western Associates and subsidiary companies of Western Graphics and Flint Hills Embroidery in Marion.

October will be a busy month for the promotions company with Neat Stuff shows for customers Oct. 7 at Grace Farm in Topeka and Oct. 14 at Wichita Boathouse.

Technology has changed the way the Crofoot family conducts business but they still believe providing quality products and outstanding service is key to success.

“We’ll continue to offer the same services and products to our customers as we always have,” Jim Crofoot said. “We’re pleased to have our business back in the Crofoot family and look forward to the next 55 years.”