Jostens

Jostens Inc. is an American manufacturer of memorabilia. The company is primarily known for its production of yearbooks, academic regalia, and class rings for various high schools and colleges as well as championship rings for sports. For over 50 years, Jostens has been the supplier of the Super Bowl championship rings. Jostens also produced photobook products for Disney's PhotoPass photography service offered at Disney theme parks and resorts. As well as its headquarters near Minneapolis and operational offices in Owatonna, Minnesota, Jostens has facilities in Clarksville, Tennessee; Denton, Texas; Eagan, Minnesota; Laurens, South Carolina; Sedalia, Missouri; Shelbyville, Tennessee; the Dominican Republic; and Aguascalientes, Mexico. Otto Josten founded the company as a watch-repair business in Owatonna in 1897. Jostens (then called "Josten's" –the apostrophe was later dropped) began manufacturing emblems and awards for nearby schools. In 1906, its year of incorporation, Josten added class rings to his product line, the market being the Midwest. Jostens created the American Yearbook Company in 1950, later merging it under the Jostens brand. In 2003, Jostens was acquired by private equity firm DLJ Merchant Banking, a subsidiary of aPriori Capital Partners.