IVE Group acquires WPP’s Active Display Group and AFI Branding Solutions
WPP’s retail point of sale and visual merchandising company, Active Display Group, and Melbourne based AFI Branding Solutions (AFI) are to be acquired by IVE Group Limited (IVE) on 31 October 2021.
The acquisition of AFI adds event, exhibition, fabric printing and signage capabilities to IVE for the first time. The timely announcement comes as retail stores begin to reopen their doors once more and businesses look to schedule events. The integration of ADG and AFI into IVE commences in November.
IVE Group CEO, Matt Aitken said, “These acquisitions strengthen our offer as an industry leader in the design and production of temporary, semi-permanent and permanent retail display solutions to leading Australian and global brands. ADG’s comprehensive 3PL division is also a seamless fit for IVE’s already extensive logistics and fulfilment operations”.
Aitken added: “These acquisitions build further on IVE’s strategic investment and growth in the retail sector over the last five years. We look forward to welcoming the ADG and AFI staff to our business, and showcasing IVE’s diverse value proposition to their customers.”
Active Display Group CEO, Steve Voorma, said: “This is fantastic news for our clients, and other companies requiring retail display, visual merchandising (store windows), or 3PL services” said “The combination of ADG and IVE’s existing capabilities will create by far the most sophisticated and advanced retail display offering in the country. From the breadth and depth of our combined capability, right through to our impeccable environmental and sustainability credentials, this expanded retail offering will be unmatched in Australia.”
AFI managing director, Glenn Watson, who will remain with IVE in a senior leadership role post-acquisition, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for AFI Branding and I look forward to joining the talented team at IVE. Over the last 29 years, our team has worked tirelessly to build AFI up into the largest fabric printer in Australia, something we’re very proud of. To enter our 4th decade as part of IVE Group brings with it a host of fresh opportunities and a new platform for industry innovation. AFI brings complementary services to IVE’s already extensive offering, presenting a compelling proposition to its existing 2,800 clients and the wider market”.
Founded in 1921 and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in December 2015 IVE Group is one of Australia’s holistic marketing companies.
Earlier this year, IVE Group signed a lease with Frasers Property Industrial’s Braeside Industrial Estate for a new warehouse, print production and office facility in Melbourne, worth $61 million.
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topics
Active Display Group
AFI Branding Solutions
Glenn Watson
IVE Group
Matt Aitken
Steve Voorma
WPP
