Albert Basse Associates has a storied history that goes back nearly a hundred years. We take pride in being a family owned & operated company for 4 generations. A lot has changed over the years but one things remains the same; our commitment to building long term business relationships, to provide unequaled customer service, and to produce the highest quality, cost effective, signs and graphics possible for our customers.
Founded by Albert Basse Sr. in 1928, Albert Basse Associates began its operation as a window display decorating company, dressing windows and storefronts along the east coast. The business soon evolved to include printing and display advertising for grocery stores, department stores, and some of the major brand merchandisers of the times. Mr. Basse is recognized as a pioneer in the industry. He was involved with printing groups both locally and nationally and was a Past President of the National Screen Printing Association (now SGIA). He steadily grew the business into one of the nations’ top display, printing, and fulfillment companies through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
In 1962, just back from Korea, Al Basse, Jr., a Brown University grad, took the helm from his Dad. He carried on his Dad’s legacy and modernized the plant with a 10,000-square-foot addition in 1972. He worked with many of New England’s major advertising agencies developing sign and graphic display solutions and tirelessly grew the business until his untimely passing at the young age of 41.
In 1976, after Al, Jr. passed, his wife Ellen was faced with the challenge to continue the business or sell. No stranger to hard work, and without hesitation, Ellen rolled up her sleeves and joined the senior management team as CEO. With four children at home, and one in college, and buttressed by the support of Alan Grant as President, and then VP of Sales Paul Manning, Jr., Ellen brought the company through the difficult transition. Her guidance, perseverance, and general business wisdom helped lead the company and started ABA on its next 40 years of growth and success.
In 1983, Ellen’s new husband, Tom Dietz joined the company as President and helped to once again lead us to a level of prominence in the Industry. Tom served on the Board of Directors of SGIA, and was also recognized for his service to the industry. Continuing in the tradition of a true “family” business, Ellen was joined by her daughter Debbie for a period of time, and then by her sons, Albert “Chip” Basse, III (joined in 1984) and Edwin E. Basse (joined in 1993).
In 1997, the company transitioned into its third generation under the direction of Albert “Chip” Basse, III. Chip’s involvement with the company goes back to the early days of working summers with his Dad. He began full time with the company after graduating with a business degree from Rollins College in 1984 and has been involved in every phase of the business since.
In the fall of 2001, the company expanded their capabilities and became the first screen printer in New England to install a 65”x 84”- 5-color inline screen printing press.
Since then, ABA has continued in the development of the industry and has embraced the digital revolution. In 2010 the firm expanded its capabilities with large format flatbed inkjet printing, roll-to-roll inkjet processing and digital die cutting.
In 2023, we purchased and installed a Durst P5 350HS to advance our digital printing services even further. This press allows ABA to not only continue to compete in the national market, but cemented that company firmly in the high speed digital printing world. Since then we have also added an additional SwissQPrint Nyala 4 for even more high quality capabilities and capacity.
In the fall of 2015, Ellen left us all too soon, but she left us wall with an enormous legacy of “stepping up” when it counts. Today the 3rd and 4th generation of Basses are ably charged with continuing the company’s 9 decade heritage of quality, customer commitment and satisfaction. Under Chip’s leadership and keen production awareness, and Ed’s sharp sales and marketing skills, the company continues to be a leader in the industry.
Founded by Albert Basse Sr. in 1928, Albert Basse Associates began its operation as a window display decorating company, dressing windows and storefronts along the east coast. The business soon evolved to include printing and display advertising for grocery stores, department stores, and some of the major brand merchandisers of the times. Mr. Basse is recognized as a pioneer in the industry. He was involved with printing groups both locally and nationally and was a Past President of the National Screen Printing Association (now SGIA). He steadily grew the business into one of the nations’ top display, printing, and fulfillment companies through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.
In 1962, just back from Korea, Al Basse, Jr., a Brown University grad, took the helm from his Dad. He carried on his Dad’s legacy and modernized the plant with a 10,000-square-foot addition in 1972. He worked with many of New England’s major advertising agencies developing sign and graphic display solutions and tirelessly grew the business until his untimely passing at the young age of 41.
In 1976, after Al, Jr. passed, his wife Ellen was faced with the challenge to continue the business or sell. No stranger to hard work, and without hesitation, Ellen rolled up her sleeves and joined the senior management team as CEO. With four children at home, and one in college, and buttressed by the support of Alan Grant as President, and then VP of Sales Paul Manning, Jr., Ellen brought the company through the difficult transition. Her guidance, perseverance, and general business wisdom helped lead the company and started ABA on its next 40 years of growth and success.
In 1983, Ellen’s new husband, Tom Dietz joined the company as President and helped to once again lead us to a level of prominence in the Industry. Tom served on the Board of Directors of SGIA, and was also recognized for his service to the industry. Continuing in the tradition of a true “family” business, Ellen was joined by her daughter Debbie for a period of time, and then by her sons, Albert “Chip” Basse, III (joined in 1984) and Edwin E. Basse (joined in 1993).
In 1997, the company transitioned into its third generation under the direction of Albert “Chip” Basse, III. Chip’s involvement with the company goes back to the early days of working summers with his Dad. He began full time with the company after graduating with a business degree from Rollins College in 1984 and has been involved in every phase of the business since
In the fall of 2001, the company expanded their capabilities and became the first screen printer in New England to install a 65”x 84”- 5-color inline screen printing press.
Since then, ABA has continued in the development of the industry and has embraced the digital revolution. In 2010 the firm expanded its capabilities with large format flatbed inkjet printing, roll-to-roll inkjet processing and digital die cutting.
In 2023, we purchased and installed a Durst P5 350HS to advance our digital printing services even further. This press allows ABA to not only continue to compete in the national market, but cemented that company firmly in the high speed digital printing world. Since then we have also added an additional SwissQPrint Nyala 4 for even more high quality capabilities and capacity.
In the fall of 2015, Ellen left us all too soon, but she left us wall with an enormous legacy of “stepping up” when it counts. Today the 3rd and 4th generation of Basses are ably charged with continuing the company’s 9 decade heritage of quality, customer commitment and satisfaction. Under Chip’s leadership and keen production awareness, and Ed’s sharp sales and marketing skills, the company continues to be a leader in the industry.
Albert Basse Associates is one of the longest continually operating, family-owned, large format digital and screen printers in the nation.