CLEVELAND – Proforma Signature Solutions, Owned by Dennis Funk and Rich Bewley, has announced the acquisition of Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising, a Phoenix-based distributor. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.

“Acquisitions are a key strategy in our growth plan as we work toward achieving our $5 million goal,” said Funk. “Proforma’s Mergers & Acquisitions Team has been integral in helping us identify profitable business sellers and guiding us through the process, making it easy for us to complete acquisitions. Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising has an established book of business and we expect to see an immediate and significant growth in our sales.”

Brenda Williams, the previous owner of Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising, will join Proforma Signature Solutions as a National Accounts Manager. Williams has more than 33 years of experience in the print and promotional products industry and founded Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising in 2003.

“Partnering with Proforma is an exciting growth opportunity for Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising,” said Williams. “As a business owner, my goals have changed over the years and I realized I couldn’t take my business where I wanted it to go on my own. Proforma will give me the back office and financial support I need to increase my sales while also freeing up my time so I can pursue my passions in life.” 

Funk and Bewley plan to expand the product and service offering for Artistic Printing and Specialty Advertising clients to include more eCommerce, digital media and technology solutions. Proforma Signature Solutions leads the industry in providing exciting multimedia solutions from HD video and motion graphics to interactive websites and mobile apps. The company has been serving clients since 2000 with multi-level marketing programs through online and offline lead generation, branding services, commercial printing, promotional products, eCommerce and more.

“Now, I’m going to be bringing so much more to the table when I talk with our customers,” said Williams. “Proforma’s extensive vendor network allows me to introduce technology solutions and become a complete marketing resource.”

This is the eighth acquisition Proforma Signature Solutions has completed. The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for the past five consecutive years, with a growth rate of more than 140% on the 2014 list. Proforma Signature Solutions was also named to Counselor magazine’s list of the “Fastest Growing Distributors” in the print and promotional products industry in 2014.