June 02, 2023
Wallace Graphics Expands Into Promo With Acquisition of The Corporate Shop
The Corporate Shop is a Duluth, GA-based distributor with an 18,000-square-foot facility that includes a showroom.
In a deal involving two Duluth, GA-based companies, Wallace Graphics (asi/354657) has acquired The Corporate Shop (asi/169059). Financial terms were not released.
An integrated commercial print, mail and marketing services provider, Wallace Graphics said the purchase enables an expansion into the promotional products market.
The Corporate Shop is a promo distributorship founded in 1999 by Wendy and John Neubauer. The Neubauers are joining Wallace Graphics, as are The Corporate Shop’s 14 employees and four account managers. The distributorship’s 18,000-square-foot facility, which includes a showroom, is part of the package too.
“As we continue to analyze different ways to grow and expand our expertise, the decision to invite The Corporate Shop team into the Wallace Graphics family became clear,” said Jonathan Wallace, CEO of Wallace Graphics. “They have talented and knowledgeable staff, and their approach to doing business in the promotional products space is exceptional.”
Kitting, in-house embroidery, warehousing/fulfillment, e-merch store management, commercial printing and event sourcing are among the solutions that The Corporate Shop provides.
The Corporate Shop has “a very genuine organizational culture and truly cares for their people – which aligns perfectly with Wallace Graphics. This strengthens our ability to offer a new service that complements our existing client solutions portfolio,” said Wallace.
Wallace Graphics began in 1987 as a one-person print shop in Atlanta. These days, the firm is a full-service commercial printer providing digital, offset and large format printing, as well as direct mail services and fulfillment.
Wendy Neubauer said The Corporate Shop is excited to be joining Wallace Graphics.
“We value the quality of our service as much as we value the quality of our products, and we pride ourselves on delivering white-glove customer experiences combined with 24/7 customer support. This is the same commitment we’ll now share with Wallace Graphics’ clients,” Neubauer said.
Mergers and acquisitions in the promotional products industry were occurring at a rapid rate at the outset of 2023.
The number of deals – at least ones that were announced – subsequently seemed to slow. But as the second quarter has progressed, there’s been another outpouring of promo M&A – something the Wallace Graphics/The Corporate Shop acquisition continues.
“M&A is very much a timing dance that ebbs and flows,” Jamie Watson, a partner at Certified Marketing Consultants, an Indiana-headquartered firm that specializes in advising promotional products companies on private sales, acquisitions and business valuations, has told ASI Media. “I expect the end of 2023 to have a moderate amount of activity.”