PolyVision (company)
PolyVision is a company that manufactures CeramicSteel surfaces for applications such as whiteboards, chalkboards, architectural surfaces and panels, and infrastructure projects.[1] Headquartered in Georgia, PolyVision was acquired by Industrial Opportunity Partners in February 2020.[2] The company was founded in 1954 under the name Information Display Technology, Inc. and began operating under the name PolyVision in May 1995.[3] PolyVision has production facilities in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Genk, Belgium, with their Okmulgee facility being one of the area's major employers.[4][5]
Formerly | Display Technology, Inc., Information Display Technology, Inc. |
---|---|
Industry | Manufacturing |
Founded | 1954 |
Headquarters | Johns Creek , United States |
Areas served | North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), APAC (Asia-Pacific) |
Products | CeramicSteel Panels, Architectural Cladding, Writing Surface Materials |
Number of employees | 200 (2014) |
Website | polyvision |
Mergers and acquisitions
In 1998, PolyVision purchased Alliance International Group, a manufacturer of CeramicSteel products used in visual displays and writing surfaces, for about $75 million.[6]
PolyVision acquired Nelson Adams in May 1999.[7]
In January 2000, PolyVision purchased both American Chalkboard and Peninsular Slate.[8]
PolyVision became a subsidiary of Steelcase in August 2001.[9] In 2012, it was announced that PolyVision’s educational technology products would become part of the Steelcase Education Solutions group.[10]
PolyVision was acquired by Industrial Opportunities Partners in February 2020.[11]
Projects
PolyVision has created surfaces for public art installations:
- The "Flat Earth" mural at the Dijkzigt Metro Station in Rotterdam, artwork by Peter Jansen [12]
- Artwork at Telok Ayer MRT station in Singapore, art by Lim Shing Ee and Kazunori Takeishi [13]
Awards and recognition
Some of PolyVision's products have won awards at the NeoCon World's Trade Fair:[14][15][16]
Year | Award | Product |
---|---|---|
2003 | Gold Award | LTX Multimedia Whiteboard |
2005 | Editor’s Choice | Commercial series of Markerboards and Tackboards |
2007 | Product Innovation Award | CopyCam Image Editing Software |
2007 | Product Innovation Award | RoomWizard |
2018 | Good Design™ Award | Motif™ |
2019 | Red Dot Design Award: Product Design | Motif™ |
Other awards
- 2005 MAX Award winner for the Walk-and-Talk Interactive Panel and Cordless Lectern[17]
- 2010 Best in Tech by Scholastic [18]
PolyVision's Genk facility was the first European CeramicSteel manufacturer to earn a Cradle-to-Cradle certification for its environmentally sustainable practices.[4]
References
- "Rob Kneebone, Managing Director of ABP Group". CEO Magazine. CEO Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "Steelcase Sells PolyVision to Industrial Opportunity Partners". Globe Newswire. Steelcase Inc. 24 February 2020.
- "PolyVision Corporation Founded". PolyVision. PolyVision. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- "Polyvision: Sustainability Pioneers in Ceramicsteel" (PDF). Wallonie Designs. RECentre. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "Okmulgee Area Major Employers". Okmulgee Area Development Corporation. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "The Week in Business: LaSalle Buys Compass to Create Gigantic Firm". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Atlanta Business Chronicle. 7 September 1998. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "Welcome to Nelson Adams NACO". Nelson Adams NACO. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "PolyVision Acquires Two Manufacturers". Indiana Gazette. 26 Jan 2000. p. 16.
- "Company News; Steelcase Buying PolyVision for $73 Million". The Associated Press. 28 August 2001.
- Doyle, Caity (5 November 2012). "Combining Tech With Furniture? How PolyVision and Steelcase are Integrating the Two to Enhance Learning in the Classroom". TechnApex. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "PolyVision Acquired by Industrial Opportunities Partners". Business Insider. 24 February 2020.
- "About Flat Earth". Peter Jansen. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "Our Work at a Train Station in Singapore". Monocircus. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- Sanchez, Mark (20 June 2003). "NeoCon Honors Manufacturers". Grand Rapids Business Journal. Grand Rapids Business Journal. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- "NeoCon '05: Best of NeoCon Competition Names 25 Gold Award Winners; Bernhardt's Seating/Table Collection Takes Best Of Competition". FMLink. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- "Product Innovations 2007". buildings.com. Buildings Smarter Facility Management. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- "Grand Winner: Polyvision Corp". bizjournals.com. Bizjournals. 28 February 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- "Best In Tech 2010: Whiteboard Solutions". scholastic.com. Scholastic. Retrieved 9 July 2016.