Did you read yesterday’s news that Camel City Poster Productions purchased MRI’s Irvin Hardware division? Irvin Hardware products will now be housed onsite at Camel City’s facility in King, North Carolina.
“We’ll be selling everything from rachets and rods to aprons and windframes,” Vincent Pannutti, GM of Camel City said. “We will make sure our complete product line will be available to all very shortly.”
Since Irvin Hardware is moving to North Carolina, that opens up Media Resources’ warehouse and manufacturing center for new possibilities. The space that previously housed the Irvin product line will be converted into a digital OOH facility serving the East Coast of the United States.
The addition of Irvin Hardware has been described as a seamless complement to Camel City’s offerings, but it seems odd in a day and age when many businesses are moving away from diversification, opting instead to specialize in one thing and to do that well. Why did Camel City decide to buy a hardware shop?
“It was a perfect opportunity along with a perfect fit. Most of our clients already use the hardware products we are selling. If we can offer them print and hardware, then we are satisfying our customer’s needs,” Pannutti said. “Like any company, we are always looking to grow. To grow you need to take on new opportunities and challenges.”
The company is planning to continue to invest in its print assets and print staff. They have always been printers and say they will always be printers.
“Our commitment to making sure we are at the forefront of the print industry is priority #1,” Pannutti said. Printing and graphic design services have been the staples of Camel City Posters. He says the Hardware division enables them to address another one of their clients’ needs.
“Our goal with the hardware division is to simply provide our clients with everything that they need to be successful,” Pannutti said. “In addition to having their billboard designed, printed, and shipped, they may need a box of ratchet straps as well. Simple enough, just let us know and we’ll send them a box!”
Tom Sampson will be heading up the Hardware Division. He will be responsible for growing both sales and product. He has worked in the Irvin Division since 2021 and has experience in both the hardware and engineering side of sign building. “Tom started with his dad at an on-site sign company, then dabbled in Neon for a while, spent time as an Operations Manager at Outfront, and is now heading up the Hardware Division at Camel City. We are thrilled to have him on our team,” Pannutti said.
When asked if there are any other acquisitions in the works, Pannutti said, “You never know when the right thing will come your way. We will always listen to opportunities, but they would have to be in line with our vision and our clients would need to benefit from it.”
Essentially, they would love to be a one-stop shop for their clients. “We look forward to servicing our clients in a greater capacity. As we grow on this new endeavor we ask you in the OOH Industry, what else can we do to help you? Where do you need help in your growth?” Pannutti said.
What are your thoughts on this business move? Let us know in the comments below!
Camel City Poster is an advertiser with OOH Today