Orbus Exhibit & Display Group (asi/75209) just got bigger.
The Woodridge, Illinois-based brand group that specializes in manufacturing and producing portable, modular and custom displays has acquired SEG Systems & Services, whose customers include household names like Audi, Nike, Dior, Converse and Wrangler. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
“Orbus is excited to explore the exceptional custom capabilities of SEG and its remarkable team,” said Orbus CEO Gary Keefer.
Based in Charlotte, NC, SEG Systems is focused on the engineering, design, and manufacturing of light boxes, frames, and merchandising and display systems. Products are manufactured in-house and finished under one roof, the company said. “Whether it’s a simple frame, a retail display, an exhibition stand or a custom creation, SEG Systems has your back when it comes to branding , timelines and budget,” SEG said in a company statement.
Says Keefer of SEG: “They demonstrated superior speed, accuracy and creativity in their solutions. Additionally, SEG’s assortment of frames and light boxes compliments and complements Orbus’ existing offering.
Meanwhile, Portland, OR-based SEG Services is a full-service retail marketing agency. The company offers design, production and execution. Much like its sister brand in Charlotte, SEG Services has high profile clients including Adidas, Under Armour, Crocs, Columbia and Victoria’s Secret.
SEG President Reid Johnson will continue to lead the SEG teams, part of Orbus’ executive suite.
“Being part of the Orbus Group significantly expands our resources and capabilities across North America,” Johnson said. “Access to a wide range of visual communication solutions, backed by an exceptional team dedicated to service, promises a limitless future for what we can do together.”
Orbus Group has sourcing and manufacturing operations in Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Toronto. The company produces solutions for events, exhibitions, retail and corporate interiors. Beyond SEG, the group’s brands include The Exhibitors’ Handbook, Promo Handbook, Nimlok, Nimlok Canada, Fabric Images, Ultima Displays Canada and SignPro Systems.
The acquisition of SEG by Orbus continues the recent rapid pace of mergers and acquisitions in the promotional products industry.
In May, for example, high profile deals included Top 40 distributor HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000), the largest promo distributor by revenue, acquisition of Top 40 company BrandVia Alliance (asi/145037). Just a week later, White Plains, NY-based distributor Zagwear (asi/365552), a large company with international offices, acquired New York-based distributor Arrow Promotional (asi/124500).
In April, Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358), the third-largest promo supplier, purchased TSF Sportswear – a transaction that followed S&S’ acquisition in November of TSC Apparel, which was at the time the 14th of promo.e leading supplier in terms of turnover.
Some promotional product executives believe acquisitions will continue to increase, due to factors such as the rising cost of doing business, technology requirements, and an aging executive/ownership class in the industry.