(Pictured: Kevin Carty, executive VP of Classic Exhibits, with Tom Beard, regional sales manager for EcoSystems)
For more than 12 years, Portland, Ore.-based Classic Exhibits and Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits have been strategic partners in manufacturing, marketing and design.
Effective Jan. 1, their partnership will evolve with Classic Exhibits incorporating Eco-Systems’ ecoSmart product line into to its extensive offerings and adding employees into the Classic family.
Eco-Systems was launched in 2007 as a designer and builder of modern exhibits using eco-friendly materials. From the beginning, the company offered contemporary designs built from the highest quality sustainable materials, including recycled aluminum extrusions from Classic Exhibits.
In 2011, Eco-Systems contracted all manufacturing to Classic Exhibits, and the two companies agreed to a strategic marketing partnership while continuing to operate as separate companies.
Over the past eight years, both companies have seen considerable growth, not only in tradeshow exhibits but also in corporate environments and retail displays. This growth has presented considerable opportunities for Classic and Eco-Systems to combine forces both in design and eco-friendly materials.
By cooperating, the companies were able to better meet the design and sustainability requirements of clients while targeting profitable niches in the marketplace. Those included eco-friendly exhibits using the Gravitee Modular Wall Systems and recycled fabric, rentals incorporating green building materials, and custom exhibits built from FSC-certified wood products.
“We are excited about this positive change in our partnership,” says Kevin Carty, executive VP of Classic Exhibits.
Eco-Systems is a leading brand in the tradeshow market, and the ecoSmart line will be a welcome addition to Classic Exhibits’ offering of products.
Most exciting for Carty: the people. He says the talented staff from Eco-Systems will be a great fit into the Classic family culture.
“Our distributor partners will reap tremendous benefits from this marriage including more sustainable
designs for their clients,” Carty says.
Colleen Crawford, vice president and controller of Eco-Systems, adds: “Working to build Eco-Systems into the leader in sustainable designs and exhibits has been a labor of love. Our partnerships with our distributors, as well as our strategic partnership with Classic Exhibits, has been instrumental in our growth and recognition within the industry as the No. 1 option for green displays. I am very excited about this next step for our customers and employees.”
Classic Exhibits and Eco-Systems product lines are available through the Classic Exhibits distributor partner network and on the Classic website.
Based in Portland, Ore., Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and builds portable, modular, and custom
exhibits for more than 200 distributor partners. Classic’s unique business model as a “white label” manufacturer to the exhibit and event industry allows its partners to be successful regardless of the time frame or project size whether for purchase or rental. For more info, visit www.classicexhibits.com.
