Minnesota-based Sign-Zone, LLC, parent company of former Counselor Promotional Products Supplier of the Year Showdown Displays (asi/87188), is ramping up its presence in Europe with its just-announced acquisition of Jansen Display Group, a Czech Republic-headquartered company. Finalized Oct. 1, financial terms of the deal were not released.

Sign-Zone Expands into Europe with Acquisition of Jansen Display Group#privateequity #middlemarket #PE #buyouts #pehub https://t.co/GFSHFxZDaT pic.twitter.com/VMHUMhqHAa

— Pfingsten (@_Pfingsten) October 2, 2018

In addition to the Prestanov, Czech Republic office, Jansen has locations in Germany, the U.K., Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Spain. The company designs and manufactures customized poster systems, snap frames, poster boards, notice boards, sidewalk signage and digital displays.

Speaking to Counselor, Sign-Zone President/CEO John Bruellman said Jansen’s 2018 revenue is projected to be above $20 million. While now under the Sign-Zone umbrella, Jansen will operate as an independent entity in Europe. Bruellman told Counselor that Showdown Displays will introduce some Jansen products to the North American promotional products market under the Showdown Displays banner. Items could include digital displays, snap frames, and sidewalk/outdoor signage. Meanwhile, Showdown products will enter the European promo marketplace via Jansen.

John Bruellman, President/CEO, Sign-Zone

“We are thrilled to add Jansen Displays to our family,” Bruellman said in a statement. “Jansen has built a strong reputation throughout Europe as a provider of high quality displays and signage systems. The addition of this product line will greatly enhance our offerings to our distributor customers via Showdown Displays. We will also bring to Europe the same industry-leading product suite offered by Showdown in North America.”

While excited about growth opportunities in Europe, Bruellman said that promo distributors in North America remain the company’s primary focus. “Showdown customers should continue to expect the same world-class experience for which we are known,” said Bruellman, noting the supplier is deeply committed to the traditional supplier-distributor ad specialty industry model.

Vit Zajíček, CEO of Jansen Display Group, said he and his team are excited to be joining Sign-Zone. “It will allow us to pursue accelerated growth throughout Europe and globally,” Zajíček said in a statement. “The acquisition will provide our customers with access to Showdown Displays’ extensive product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities, while delivering renewed investment in our mission to become Europe’s market leader.”

Sign-Zone offers a portfolio of wide format, portable promotional signage and displays under the Showdown Displays and Victory Corps brand names. Its main products include table covers, retractable banners, event tents, sail signs and floor displays. Jansen will be the company’s third major brand. Private equity firm Pfingsten Partners acquired Sign-Zone in 2017.