APi Marketing of Auburn changes ownership

A well-known business in Auburn with a history for giving back has changed hands this month, as Sierra Inc. has acquired APi Marketing. Former owner Merrill Kagan-Weston said Thursday the new owners do not intend to change the name of the business or remove any current employees. "My goal was to have someone purchase it who would keep my employees and would keep the business running in the building it is in," Kagan-Weston said. Sierra Inc. is no stranger to Auburn-based businesses; it also owns Auburn Office Products and 49er Printing. "We are planning on growing the company," said Jason Gallivan, co-owner and chief operating officer of Sierra Inc. "We want to use the great accounts that APi has and offer them new products and services." Gallivan said what attracted him to APi was its role within the community. "We always want to align ourselves with companies that have great roots in the community," he said. Kagan-Weston and Gallivan said there shouldn't be many changes with the change in ownership. The company will continue to play a vital role in Auburn's non-profit scene. "We've been very community minded since we bought it," Kagan-Weston said. She and late husband Brad, who passed away late last year, bought the business in 1985. "I love this community. It was a great place to bring up my kids. I feel good about the people who bought it, and I feel they are going to be good for the community as well." To make the transition smooth, Kagan-Weston said she will stick around the company for a year to oversee the change in leadership. "We have no plans in disrupting a successful business model, only enhancing it," Gallivan said. "It gives us more of a solid reputation to have the previous ownership involved." Sierra Inc. is based in Sacramento. Gallivan is from El Dorado Hills and his business partner from Placerville. He said he hopes the community doesn't think of this as a "corporate" takeover. "We are very excited to add the current staff members to the Sierra family," he said. "We still think there is validity in doing business locally – that is why we love these areas."