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COMPANY INFO

Company: SmartSign
Industry: E-commerce & manufacturing
Website: smartsign.com
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Brooklyn, NY
Investment stage: Exited through acquisition in September 2022
Norwest investment: Acquired the company in October 2019

INVESTORS

Sonya Brown
Connor PikeConnor Pike

Investment snapshot
SmartSign Growth Opportunity
  • Build upon leadership position in signs, labels, and tags
  • Bring manufacturing in-house to gain efficiencies and flexibility
  • Broaden product offerings and shorten delivery times

Market Trends/Drivers
  • Businesses of all sizes require a constant stream of signs, labels, and tags
  • E-commerce has magnified customers’ expectations for customization, breadth of choice, and quick turnaround
  • Pandemic-caused disruptions have raised awareness of the critical importance of supply chains running smoothly

Norwest Investment
  • Purchased the company in October 2019
  • Collaborated with management to plan and implement a verticalization strategy

Portfolio Services Utilized
  • Capital Markets & Operations
  • Talent & People Advisory

Outcomes
  • Move to in-house manufacturing added flexibility, spurred collaboration, and strengthened supply chains
  • Two-day shipping expanded nationwide
  • Customers offered expanded product lines
  • Manufacturing leadership added to management team
  • Sold to Sentinel Capital Partners in September 2022

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