Vision Integrated Graphics Acquires Fellow Illinois Direct Marketing Firm, Tobe Direct
CHICAGO—May 6, 2015—Vision Integrated Graphics Group, a leading full-service marketing solutions provider with locations in the Chicagoland area, announced its acquisition of Tobe Direct, one of the nation’s leading direct marketing companies, with production facilities in Bolingbrook, Ill. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. However, the 50,000-square-foot Tobe Direct facility and all of its employees will be retained. Following the acquisition, Vision Integrated Graphics will have four locations in the Chicagoland area, 267 employees and generate approximately $70 million in annual revenue.
The merger will combine Tobe Direct’s turn-key direct marketing solutions and full-service lettershop capabilities with Vision’s existing Web-based technologies and high-end graphic manufacturing and fulfillment capabilities. The newly combined company will leverage a broad production platform and deliver an extensive array of integrated services, securing Vision’s role as one of the most dynamic marketing solutions companies in Chicagoland and the country.
"We are extremely excited to have Tobe Direct as part of the Vision Integrated Graphics Group family," said Doug Powell, CEO of Vision Integrated Graphics Group. "By acquiring Tobe Direct at this time, we have greatly enhanced our highly targeted direct mail capabilities. With this enhanced service offering, clients of both Vision and Tobe will benefit from a full range of services provided by a single highly responsive source. We expect the transition to be smooth given our similar cultures and compatible platforms."
Vision Integrated Graphics Group is one of the largest independent users of HP Indigo press technology in the United States, and Tobe Direct also utilizes HP Indigo technology. The acquisition of Tobe Direct adds the HP Indigo 10000, the largest variable digital press on the market with a 20x29" sheet size. Combined the new organization will have a total of eight HP digital presses. “HP will continue to be a strong partner that will contribute to the success of our organization as we move forward,” added Powell.
“Tobe Direct has experienced tremendous growth over the past year, and combining with Vision Integrated Graphics Group is a great opportunity for us to continue that growth trajectory,” said John Tobe, president and CEO of Tobe Direct. “By joining the Vision Integrated Graphics Group team, we will be able to provide our existing customers and prospects with a wide-array of new service offerings including Vision’s proprietary Web-to-print solution and their expertise in the large-format, point-of-purchase markets. I am excited to work with Doug and his team as we move forward as a newly combined company, and I can’t wait to see what new growth opportunities are in store for us.”
About Vision Integrated Graphics
Vision Integrated Graphics has been in business for over 50 years. With three locations in Chicago and a national sales footprint, the company is a leading provider of full-service marketing solutions. Vertically integrated services include:
- Strategic planning and development
- Execution of cross media and integrated marketing campaigns
- Digital and conventional print production services
- Web-to-print services
- Direct mail and list services
- Large-format graphics and national installation services
- Fulfillment and logistics
- Analytics and reporting
Vision Integrated Graphics is dedicated to helping clients establish a realistic ROI for marketing services and continuing to refine their marketing strategies. The company has three production facilities and about 215 employees, with annual revenues of approximately $44 million.
Source: Vision Integrated Graphics.
