RHYME HISTORY

Frank A Rhyme purchased the drug store from Clifford Arnold on September 6, 1886 Stationery products such as writing paper, scratch bocks, slates, pencils, ink, pens, sponges and more were advertised in the local paper as items available for purchase. Since 1886 Rhyme has been in the stationery and office products business.

William Marshall "Punk" Rhyme took over Rhyme Drug, following the death of his father Frank A Rhyme.

William Rhyme purchases 400 government surplus typewriters. An article is published in the Portage Daily Register on November 13, 1945 announcing a new product offering, the Underwood Typewriter. This added to the current lines of office supplies, furniture and equipment and a complete service department already being ran within Rhyme Drug.

In June of 1946 William Rhyme officially branches out Rhyme Supply Company, a typewriter and office machine shop. His son, Frank A Rhyme helped start the business that was conducted in the balcony of Rhyme Drug. Over the course of the next few years, additional offerings were added and the business kept growing.

In October of 1947, work began on a new office for Rhyme Supply Company (separate from Rhyme Drug).

Frank A Rhyme officially took over Rhyme Drug and William continued to spend most of his time at Rhyme Supply Company.

Tom Cline and John Knipfel were made partners in the business. Throughout the early 60's Rhyme Supply Company was active in improving education tools for Portage High School by supplying calculators and "typing computers" to the Adult Education courses.

Pressed by exponential growth, Rhyme Supply Company moves to a new, larger location (122 Cook St.).

Ken Hutler becomes co-owner with Tom Cline.

Tom Cline retires, and Ken Hutler becomes the sole owner of Rhyme Supply Company. During this time Hutler expands Rhyme Supply Company's office technology and supply offerings. The new name Rhyme Business Products goes live.

Rhyme Business Products expands its offerings to include computers and other IT Services. The need for this product and service offering grew quickly to the point of a new Computer Sales Center being opened in 1986.

Rhyme Business Products acquires Emmon's Napp Office Products, and expands its territory into Juneau and Adams County. This marks Rhyme's first acquisition in its long history.

Mike Steinhoff purchases Rhyme Business Products from Ken Hutler in August of 1999. Steinhoff quickly added two additional offices in Madison and Janesville.

Company name is shortened to Rhyme and the family name and legacy continues.

Rhyme acquires 18 businesses in the office technology and supply industry and opens additional offices supporting Wisconsin and Illinois.

Rhyme is awarded the Sharp Hyakuman Kai Elite Award, which highlights Rhyme as one of the Top 10 Dealers in the U.S.

Rhyme becomes an Accredited Managed Print Services Partner and expands its partnership with Xerox.

Marks Rhyme's 134th Historic Year - 75 years as an official office technology company and 134 years in business under the Rhyme Family name.