Rand McNally Acquires Thomas Bros. Maps

Global map maker Rand McNally & Co. said Monday it completed its acquisition of Irvine-based Thomas Bros. Maps, whose guidebooks have helped drivers navigate the region’s roadways for decades.

Thomas Bros. Maps will continue to operate out of its Irvine headquarters as a wholly owned subsidiary of its Illinois-based parent. Gil Richter of Thomas Bros. Maps has been named vice president and general manager of the new subsidiary. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

In recent years, Thomas Bros. Maps has expanded beyond California, Oregon and Washington to publish Thomas Guides in Arizona, Nevada, Maryland, Baltimore and the District of Columbia.

There are now 75 editions of the Thomas Guide, in both spiral-bound printed format and on CD-ROM. The company also introduced a Spanish-language version of the Los Angeles and Orange County guides this year.