Vision Integrated Graphics acquires Point Imaging

US-based Vision Integrated Graphics, a leading full-service marketing solutions provider with locations in the Chicago area, has acquired Point Imaging, a national provider of grand format sign and display imaging and installation services.

Point Imaging President Kevin Huseman will assume the role of Chief Strategy Officer for the combined companies, initially focusing on driving increased business volume in the superwide format area. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. However, the 60,000-square-foot Point Imaging facility and all of its employees will be retained. Following the acquisition, Vision Integrated Graphics now has three locations in the Chicago area and about 235 employees.

“We have been partnering with Point Imaging for about a decade,” said Doug Powell, CEO of Vision Integrated Graphics. “By acquiring them at this time, we have taken a quantum leap in our production mix, adding Point Imaging’s high volume point-of-purchase/point-of-sale/out-of-home capabilities to our streamlined workflow, digital and conventional printing services, web-to-print and cross-media expertise. The acquisition expands our wide format presence beyond our current roll-to-roll capabilities including the ability to print direct to rigid substrates and a more robust array of grand format print options.  With this enhanced service offering, clients of both Vision and Point will benefit from this full range of services provided by a single highly responsive source.  Our expectation is that this acquisition will be quickly integrated due to our long-standing relationship and similar cultures.”

Vision Integrated Graphics has proactively addressed the many changes that have come its way over the past 50 years, including merging the original company, Award/Vision, with Steve Smits’ Alpha Beta Press in 2005.  The combined companies now generate about $40 million in annual revenues.

Vision Integrated Graphics is one of the largest independent users of HP Indigo press technology in the U.S. The acquisition of Point Imaging adds HP Scitex and EFI VUTEk superwide format printers to the company’s robust production platform. “HP will continue to be a strong partner that will contribute to the continued success of our organization as we move forward,” Powell added.

“We are delighted to be officially joining the Vision Integrated Graphics family,” Huseman said. “One of the biggest benefits this will bring to our existing customers and prospects is access to Vision Integrated Graphics’ proprietary web-to-print solution and streamlined workflow. This is an element that has been neglected in the high volume POS/POP and out-of-home markets. By deploying these advanced capabilities, we will further improve our leadership position in the national sign and display market, making doing business with us even easier than ever before.”

Deployment of MyMarketingHub, Vision’s web-to-print solution, in the sign and display graphics market brings a capability that has long been a “missing link” for that market and is a significant business objective for the combined companies for 2012, according to Vision Integrated Graphics President Smits, who added, “MyMarketingHub is a unique customer portal that we have built from the ground up. It is ideally suited to manage the expanded workload and product mix that this acquisition will bring.”

Smits points out that another benefit of this acquisition for both companies and their respective customers is the blend of sales strategies between the two companies.  He says, “Vision Integrated Graphics’ sales force has traditionally been local to Chicago, although with a national reach and clients among several well-known brands. Point Imaging had both a national sales force and national reach with its grand format business. With this acquisition, Vision Integrated Graphics is even more strongly positioned for continued growth and it gives us the ability to more effectively cross-sell our broad array of production services.”

For more information about Vision Integrated Graphics, visit www.VisionPS.com