GREAT NORTHERN ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF UNITED DISPLAYCRAFT, CHICAGO, IL
Combined Capabilities will be Exhibited at GlobalShop
APPLETON, Wis., January 1, 2018. Great Northern is pleased to announce the expansion of its Instore business unit through the acquisition of United Displaycraft, based in Chicago, IL, as of January 1, 2018.
United Displaycraft is an industry-leading, custom manufacturer of permanent display solutions that promote products at retail. They are a full service manufacturer producing metal, wire, wood, and print solutions from their facilities in Des Plains and Belvidere, IL, and also have a strong Asian sourcing process to complement their internal manufacturing, which allows them to offer a wide breadth of permanent and interactive display capabilities. They are known in the market for their strong commitment to quality and customer service.
Great Northern’s mission is to help its customers win by doing what others can’t or won’t. Through this acquisition, Great Northern Instore can now offer a richer, more robust portfolio of merchandising display solutions that include a full range of temporary, semi-permanent, permanent, and interactive display capabilities. Mike Schliesmann, Sr. VP, Business Unit Manager explains, “With this expansion of resources and capabilities, Great Northern Instore can create more impactful and compelling shopping experiences to fully engage shoppers at retail as an answer to e-commerce competition.”
The two companies also share similar cultures and values. “The acquisition combines two successful, privately-owned companies with similar cultures and values,” commented John Davis, CEO of Great Northern Corporation. “Both companies are employee-focused and customer-driven with experienced creative teams, and share a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and service.”
United Displaycraft will continue to operate under the United Displaycraft brand after the acquisition, and target fully transitioning to the Great Northern Instore brand in early-2019.
Rich Carrigan, United Displaycraft’s current President, will continue to lead United Displaycraft after the acquisition. “We are excited for the opportunity our team has to work with the Great Northern Instore group and bring our expanded combined capabilities to our customers” stated Rich Carrigan. He added, “I know Great Northern’s team is equally excited about what this acquisition means for their customer base.”
Mike Schliesmann added, “The United Displaycraft acquisition is a natural fit for Great Northern with the complementary corporate cultures and values, as well as the strategic growth opportunity. It gives us a solid foundation for a successful integration.”
Both companies look forward to showcasing their combined capabilities at GlobalShop – Booths 1218 and 725.
About Great Northern Corporation:
Great Northern Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes packaging solutions and point-of-sale display programs for industrial, commercial, and retail products. Its operations include: Packaging: commercial, consumer, and custom; Instore: temporary, semi-permanent, permanent, and interactive retail displays; assembly and fulfillment services; StrataGraph®: consumer products packaging and high graphic laminated paperboard packaging, ideal for club stores; Laminations VBoard® edge protection; and Rollguard protective packaging systems for rolled and cylindrical products. Headquartered in Appleton, Wis., Great Northern has more than 1,200 employees, operations in seven states, and has been in business for more than 55 years. Learn more about Great Northern Corporation and its brands at https://www.greatnortherncorp.com/