2 minute read
More Than a Paper Moon
Crescent Cardboard Company recently acquired the U.S. businesses of Nielsen Bainbridge. Crescent is the recognized worldwide leader of manufacturing and marketing high-quality paper and board products for artists and custom framers. The Nielsen Bainbridge Group is a leading provider of high-quality products for framing professionals and conservators, including matboards, foamboards, aluminum frames and picture frame moulding.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Crescent Brands to strengthen and expand the products of both Crescent and Nielsen Bainbridge,” says Crescent President Matt Ozmun. “Both companies have always maintained the same core principles of manufacturing the highest quality products in our industry. That will always continue.”
As a result of the acquisition, the following products will be added to Crescent’s portfolio. • Nielsen aluminum moulding • Bainbridge artboard, matboard, foamboard and mounting board • Nurre Caxton wood moulding
“There is no need to be afraid that your favorite products will go away,” says Matt Ozmun, “Having all these brands and lines together under one house will give us the opportunity to expand offerings. We want to bring more to the table, not less.”
To that end, Crescent Cardboard Company will rebrand as Crescent Brands. It will operate as a portfolio company and utilize its resources to manufacture, supply, promote and support the Bainbridge, Nielsen, and Nurre Caxton brands and more, in addition to Crescent’s brands. “We are making this change out of respect for the brands, which we intend to operate independently to keep continuity in the products many in the industry have come to know and love,” Matt adds.
According to Tom Fuller, Crescent’s VP of sales and marketing, the company plans to maintain as much consistency as possible in the production and distribution of Nielsen Bainbridge products. “We have every intention of keeping the distribution channel consistent,” he says. “We’ve been in conversations with all the distributers and they’re all very excited for what the future holds. So, at this point we don’t expect any changes. If anything, we’ll look at enhancing it.”
The Ozmun family founded Crescent in 1902. Today the company is entering the fifth generation of ownership led by Scott and Matt Ozmun. With headquarters in Wheeling, Illinois, Crescent conducts business around the world and operates in more than 20 countries. Its focus is on color, innovation and design. Nielsen Bainbridge began in Brooklyn in 1867. In 1890, the company applied for the world’s first official patent on matboard. Today, it combines advanced scientific research with the latest styles and trends to deliver groundbreaking products used by custom framers and museums worldwide.
