Vitec Group acquires Savage Universal

GaryPageau ,
Savage Universal backgrounds

Vitec Imaging Solutions, a division of The Vitec Group plc announced the acquisition of Phoenix, Ariz-based, background manufacturer Savage Universal Corp. and its affiliates, with the deal expected to close by the end of November 2021. Savage Universal was founded in 1937 and manufactures an extensive range of high-quality, specialist, seamless paper backgrounds, or backdrops, ensuring the essentially flat, crease-free background surface. In 2019, Savage acquired Superior Specialties Inc., which continues to trade under the name of Superior Paper Specialties, LLC.

In the post-pandemic digital era, professional studio photography has dramatically expanded, led by the growth of e-commerce sales; 90% of online buyers report that image quality is the most important factor in the decision-making process.

Savage directly serves this fast-growing market segment, as well as fulfilling the demand from vloggers and influencers for easy-to-set-up backgrounds for their TikTok or YouTube videos.

“Savage backgrounds complement Vitec’s existing portfolio of accessories for professional image creators,” says Marco Pezzana, Divisional CEO of Vitec Imaging Solutions commented. “This acquisition brings together the world’s leading supports and imaging accessories provider with the world’s leading backgrounds manufacturer, serving professional photographers, creators and vloggers with the best in class studio equipment.”

“We have had a long and successful relationship with Vitec and know them very well,” says Hayward Richard Pressman, Chairman of the Board of Savage Universal Corp. “ They share our business values and, as we have, always made the customer the focus of their business. The Savage tradition of offering innovative and quality accessory products supplied promptly and complete will continue. Our Company recently celebrated its 84th year in business. I must express my gratitude to all who have taken this journey with us and thank you for being our partner and bringing us to this point.”