The combined teams, left to right: Mark DiPasquale (Archimedia), Kevin Cully (AIR), Kevin O’Neill (AIR), Mike Cully (AIR) and Jane Simmons (Archimedia)
Editor’s Note: IRgA Member Archimedia Solutions Group has been growing, and their most recent acquisition is of AIR Graphics in Boston, another long-time IRgA member. The deal closed on April 1 (no fooling!). We asked Archimedia owner Mark DiPasquale a few questions.
When did the idea about acquiring AIR Graphics first emerge, and what were some of the key steps in getting it to conclusion?
Probably somewhere around 1995! But seriously, we've been getting together for lunch or cocktails every so often to talk shop for many years. Once in while we'd get on the topic of joining forces but the timing was never right. We've always been friendly competitors and had great respect for each other's organizations so when his thoughts about transitioning out of the business became more real, our conversations became more serious. It took a few months to put the details together but away we went. It was very important to Mike and Kevin Cully and Kevin O'Neil, that AIR Graphics be owned by people who would respect what they built over the years. We feel grateful that we've been entrusted to carry the legacy forward.
What attracted you to AIR Graphics?
There are several reasons why AIR is a great fit for us. First, AIR has a fantastic reputation in the Boston area and has always had an impenetrable relationship with some great clients. Second, AIR has adapted well as the industry changed. They developed expertise in higher growth services such as small and large format graphics and archival scanning. Their small format color offering and skills is much stronger than ours which we'll be able to market to our existing client base. Lastly (but certainly not least), their people are fantastic! Our cultures will fit very well together, and we look forward to having the entire group become stronger as a result.
How does the acquisition affect the service offerings of both companies?
We've been using the tag line "Better Together" to communicate the acquisition, and we mean it. Over the next few months, we'll be combining facilities to bring everyone together and improve efficiency. The additional small format color graphics services is just one key addition to our portfolio. Archimedia's strength in FM, 3D Scanning and equipment resale and service will help grow the client base.
Will the name AIR Graphics remain? What changes will customers observe?
Customers will see very few changes and we'll be maintaining the AIR brand for the foreseeable future. While it makes it a little tricky from a marketing standpoint, it's worked well for Makepeace and Imtek. New Englanders tend to fear change, so we try not to upset them! We've segmented our brands a bit where Archimedia is the parent and also FM focused. Makepeace and Imtek are equipment and production services, Siteline360 is our 3D scanning business and now AIR will be high end color services (and reprographics). We don't care what customers want to call us... just that they call us!
How does this affect the Cullys and other employees of AIR Graphics?
Kevin has been living in the Dallas area for many years and Mike will be helping with the transition by working with key clients but ultimately, Mike is looking forward to enjoying some much-deserved time off. As Mike explained it in a meeting with a key customer, "I'm unemployed for the first time in 52 years!" – we won't let him get away that easily though. We'll be leaning on him for his wisdom since he's always just a phone call away. Other than a couple of administrative positions, we've welcomed the entire AIR staff into the Archimedia family. Cory Deermount has been the President of AIR for many years, and he will be taking on a senior management role in our organization. We've been running very lean since COVID so having a person of Cory's experience and character is key to helping us define a structure that supports growth and can take the business to the next level.
What's next for you - any other acquisitions on the horizon?
This should be it for a while! Well, until we get bored again or some other opportunity presents itself.