by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
When the word stamp is mentioned, most people probably think of rubber stamps or postage stamps. Holmes Stamp Company is one local business that stretches beyond the obvious. Located on San Marco Boulevard, Holmes has been in operation since 1954.
The father-son team of Bob and Bryan Croft took control of the business four years ago. Bob Croft started with the company in 1970 as a delivery driver. He is now the owner of the family enterprise, which also employs his wife, Eileen, who keeps the books, and his father, who makes deliveries. Bryan’s wife Amy is a local attorney and is expecting the next heir to the family business.
“Our goal is to keep it going another 50 years,” said Bob. “There are no immediate plans to expand. We don’t necessarily want to grow huge. We’re a small company that cares about its customers.”
Profit and loss sheets are not all that Bob and Bryan have in common; they are both graduates of the University of North Florida — Bob was in the inaugural class.
Started by entrepreneur Owen Holmes as Florida Rubber Stamp, the shop has changed hands several times. Holmes’ grandson purchased the business from his parents in 1984 and changed the name to Holmes Stamp Company. For the sake of continuity and name recognition, the Crofts decided to keep the name.
In the age of technology, the fascination with a 100-year-old product has waned. Customers are looking for better, more modern options. Enter the self-inking stamp.
“Stamps are not as hot as they used to be,” said Bryan. “We’re working on staying up with the industry.”
As part of their push towards the future, stamps are now processed by computer. The text is typeset, then sent to a special printer where the image is exposed on negative paper. Next, a polymer material is added to the machine. Once it cools, the result is a rubbery template of the negative which is then cut for adhesion to the stamp handle.
Other products manufactured by Holmes include signs for walls or doors, logos, name badges and plates, embossing seals, photo identification tags and of course, stamps.
Their latest addition is advertising specialty products.
“The next step is probably going to be laser engraving,” said Bryan. “That’s big money but right now there’s not much of a demand.”
Through the years, competition has increased with the arrival of business super stores.
“Fifteen, 20 years ago there were all these mom-and-pop office stores,” said Bryan. “There was no Staples or Office Depot. It was the same thing in our industry.”
“Initially, it hurt our business,” added Bob. “But retail business has been picking up more and more. The competition is the same but the bottom line is service.”
“Anybody can make a stamp. But can they get it to you tomorrow?” continued Bryan.
Regardless of how unemployment figures, the number of factories that close or other cost-cutting measures, corporate America will always need office basics such as desk accessories, paper and of course, the stamp.
“We do good in the good times and better in the bad,” said Bob.