Vitec Acquires Photographic Backdrop Manufacturer Savage Universal

Acquisition

by Olaf von VossNovember 16^th, 2021

Vitec Imaging Solutions has done it again. The company has just announced that it is in the process of acquiring another business to further expand its portfolio. This time Savage Universal, a manufacturer of photographic backdrops, is joining the Vitec Group.

The Vitec Group is growing and growing and chances are that one or another piece of your kit is being manufactured by a brand of that group. Companies like Syrp (article here), Manfrotto, SmallHD or Teradek, to just name a few, are part of Vitec already. And now Savage Universal joins the family.

Savage Universal – now a Vitec brand

Savage is a manufacturer of high-quality photographic backdrops. Since this is a product that is constantly needed and used up when working in a professional photo studio, the company has thrived over the years.

From the press release:
Savage is a global market leader in backgrounds for the professional studio photographic market, based in Phoenix, US. Trusted by creative professionals since 1937, Savage manufactures an extensive range of high quality, specialist, seamless paper backgrounds, or backdrops, ensuring the essential flat, crease-free background surface.

According to Vitec, the pandemic has also led to an increase in demand for such backdrops, as not only professional photographers need them, but also YouTubers, TikTok makers and others.

Here’s Hayward Richard Pressman, Chairman of the Board of Savage Universal Corp on the acquisition:

We have had a long and successful relationship with Vitec and know them very well. 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.

I think this acquisition is a logical move by Vitec as they already have a few brands in their portfolio like Gitzo or Avenger that focus on photography and/or studio setups. Adding photographic backdrops to this mix makes perfect sense to me.

The deal is expected to be closed by the end of November 2021.

Link: Vitec | Savage

What do you think? Do you use photographic backdrops for your productions? Share your experiences in the comments below!