One of Acorn Sign Graphics’ buildings on West Clay Street. (Photo by Michael Schwartz)
A busy local sign company has bought its way into Northern Virginia.
Acorn Sign Graphics this week acquired Manassas-based Graphic Services for an undisclosed sum. The deal closed Nov. 11.
The move gives Acorn a foothold in the larger market to the north and Graphic Services’ expertise and book of business, particularly in signage for the homebuilding industry.
This is the second acquisition for Acorn owners Steve and Beth Gillispie. The husband-and-wife team took on Richmond-based Sign Graphics about seven years ago. That deal created today’s Acorn Sign Graphics.
Acorn has been in business in Richmond since the 1960s. Ellwood Thompson’s is a big customer; the company also does work for the University of Richmond, VCU and local private schools.
T.J. Daly, an executive vice president at Acorn, said the owners have had their eye on a larger presence in the northern part of the state for some time.
“We do lot of work with customers in Northern Virginia, and Steve and Beth had been looking to either buy or build a foothold up there,” Daly said.
Acorn hired Pack and Associates, a business broker in Charlottesville, to help get a deal going. Discussions with Graphic Services and owner Wes Porter began to come together a few months ago, Daly said.
A potential acquisition looked attractive after Acorn saw little overlap between the two sides’ operations.
“They don’t do what we do, and we don’t do what they do,” Daly said.
That opens up a potential new customer base for Acorn in the Richmond market.
“One of our goals is to be able to sell what [Graphic Services] does in this market,” Daly said.
Graphic Services’ 13 employees will be added to Acorn’s ranks of 40 workers. The company is bringing the team from Northern Virginia this week to tour the Acorn headquarters at 4109 W. Clay St.
As part of the deal, Acorn adds a small fleet of trucks and Graphic Services’ 23,000-square-foot shop in Manassas.
The Graphic Services name will remain, and it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Acorn. Daly is managing director of the new Graphic Services subsidiary.
One of Acorn Sign Graphics’ buildings on West Clay Street. (Photo by Michael Schwartz)
A busy local sign company has bought its way into Northern Virginia.
Acorn Sign Graphics this week acquired Manassas-based Graphic Services for an undisclosed sum. The deal closed Nov. 11.
The move gives Acorn a foothold in the larger market to the north and Graphic Services’ expertise and book of business, particularly in signage for the homebuilding industry.
This is the second acquisition for Acorn owners Steve and Beth Gillispie. The husband-and-wife team took on Richmond-based Sign Graphics about seven years ago. That deal created today’s Acorn Sign Graphics.
Acorn has been in business in Richmond since the 1960s. Ellwood Thompson’s is a big customer; the company also does work for the University of Richmond, VCU and local private schools.
T.J. Daly, an executive vice president at Acorn, said the owners have had their eye on a larger presence in the northern part of the state for some time.
“We do lot of work with customers in Northern Virginia, and Steve and Beth had been looking to either buy or build a foothold up there,” Daly said.
Acorn hired Pack and Associates, a business broker in Charlottesville, to help get a deal going. Discussions with Graphic Services and owner Wes Porter began to come together a few months ago, Daly said.
A potential acquisition looked attractive after Acorn saw little overlap between the two sides’ operations.
“They don’t do what we do, and we don’t do what they do,” Daly said.
That opens up a potential new customer base for Acorn in the Richmond market.
“One of our goals is to be able to sell what [Graphic Services] does in this market,” Daly said.
Graphic Services’ 13 employees will be added to Acorn’s ranks of 40 workers. The company is bringing the team from Northern Virginia this week to tour the Acorn headquarters at 4109 W. Clay St.
As part of the deal, Acorn adds a small fleet of trucks and Graphic Services’ 23,000-square-foot shop in Manassas.
The Graphic Services name will remain, and it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Acorn. Daly is managing director of the new Graphic Services subsidiary.
Its great to see an awesome local company doing so well! They have done several signage jobs for our company and have provided the best service.
Way to go Acorn!!!