Fitch Group History

Our origins date back to 1886, when Francis Emory Fitch, established the "Exchange Printing Company".

The company specialized in the collecting, reporting and publishing of stock trade ("tick") information for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This information (amassed for each individual trade) included: the name of the stock, the number of shares traded of the stock (volume), the price the shares traded at (price) and the exacting time of the trade’s transaction (time).

Upon the close of a trading day, Francis and his staff would assemble the data, then stylize and format the copy, and then off to press to print his publication. Lastly, he would have his “daily” delivered by hand to every one of his subscribers in a timely fashion, so as to be available prior to the next day’s opening bell.

Today, Francis' unique and innovative publishing concern has developed into a robust operation offering a host of products and services. Each business unit operates independent of the other, but for the most part the operations resources are effectively inter-twined and all are under the watchful eye of John K. Fitch, III, President.

These "independent" business units are:

• Francis Emory Fitch Incorporated (d.b.a. Fitch Data)
  Stock Trade ("Tick") Information
• National Reproductions, Incorporated
  Litigation Document Management Services
  & Full Service Digital Printing Company
• Fitch Graphics, Limited
  Full Service/Fully Equipped Commercial Offset
  Printing Company
  

Our primary business philosophy is best defined as the following:

"Customers demand intelligent business solutions too seemingly
complex document management and production challenges…and our organization efforts embrace our clients’ demands and our existence is based on the successful completion of fulfilling our clients' needs."

Much of our success over the past 121 years in servicing our clients' needs is based on the Fitch Group’s strategy of continually maintaining, improving and developing our infrastructure.

Throughout our history we have consistently and regularly reinvested capital back into the company with best efforts in combining the "latest and greatest" in methodology, technology and equipment with the “best” personnel available to utilize these resources.

This strategy is reinforced with two underlying ideologies:

Communication Education

• The first principal is communication. We participate in a service sector community and thus, constant, open and effective communication is a must. It is this interactive dialogue, which is the foundation for success in establishing, maintaining and developing working relationships with customers.
• The other principal is that of education. In this age of rapidly changing technology, ignorance is not “bliss”—it is simply not an option! It is of primary importance to the Fitch Group that we not only continue our own education, but also effectively educate our clients as to the changing nature of business and the applications and methods available to achieve our common goal--high quality products, manufactured efficiently and on a timely basis at market driven costs.

September 11th and beyond:

However, regardless of our storied past and the proven business strategies, principals and success which had been realized…nothing could have prepared us for the tragedy of September 11th…during this horrific event, our corporate headquarters and plant —not 75 yards directly due south of the World Trade Center--were completely destroyed.

However, with great fortune, here we are today continuing the company’s proud heritage.

We owe our rebirth solely to the two men who had the fortitude, vision and commitment to resurrect the operation and they are our proud owners:

John K. Fitch, III, President
& George Pavlides, Chief Executive Officer

Their underlying motivation to rebuild was clearly not for their own benefit but rather it was their unwavering sense of loyalty, dedication and responsibility that they have for their employees.

These two men depict the “American Dream” by continuing employment opportunities for their 60+ individuals so that in turn these individuals have means to support their families and their dreams.

Thanks to John and George’s leadership, and combined with much dedication and perseverance of all of their employees, the Fitch Group has been completely rebuilt so that we are able to continue to offer our core services to our loyal, and ever growing (and changing), client base.

Our new facility (opened in September 2002) is located at 229 West 28th Street in New York City and within its 25,000 sq ft of space you will find some of the most technically advanced, state-of-the-art equipment, hardware and software that is available today.

There was no expense spared, to provide our personnel with the best “tools of the trade” with which to operate. Moreover, combining the right tools with the right personnel gives us the ability to effortlessly deliver, support and provides all requests so asked of us by our clients--and all under the confines of our roof!

Our centralized location allows easy access for all transportation needs in and around Manhattan. Whether it is by our messengers or truck, or by any other shipping or distribution concern, our locale provides immediate access to all of the major vehicle arteries for points North, South, East and West and we are under an hour to three of the largest airports in the World.