Burnes Merges with Nielsen Bainbridge
Burnes (formerly known as Burnes of Boston), well-known designer and marketer of photo frames and home décor, has joined Nielsen Bainbridge, one of the world’s leading producers of professional picture framing products.
The merger follows Nielsen Bainbridge’s 2011 acquisition of Pinnacle Frames & Accents – a supplier of photo frames and albums to the mass market, based in Austin, Texas – making the new Nielsen Bainbridge Group the world’s largest framing company.
Distribution of Burnes products will be relocated to the Nielsen Bainbridge / Pinnacle distribution center in Pocahontas, Ark. Day-to-day operations will be unaffected.
“Burnes is a strong, prestigious brand – an excellent complement to our custom framing business,” said Bob Kroll, Nielsen Bainbridge chief executive officer. “The strategic benefits of joining established brands like Nielsen Bainbridge, Burnes and Pinnacle – each a leader in its channel of trade – will not only enable us to share intelligence and core competencies, but also support our mutual growth in a radically changed marketplace that has become increasingly competitive.”
Kroll noted that the merger of Nielsen Bainbridge, Burnes, and Pinnacle marks the return of the powerhouse frame corporation, something the industry has not seen in close to a decade. The Nielsen Bainbridge Group is a true brain trust of experience and expertise, he said. Together, the three companies have unsurpassed buying, sourcing, design, manufacturing, and management capabilities. Individually, each company retains the marketing and sales teams that made it a leader in its specific channel of trade.
“We understand the market, retailers’ needs, how to execute, and how to deliver,” Kroll said. “We see this merger as an opportunity to provide leadership in a category that desperately needs innovation and growth.”
Based in Atlanta, Ga., Burnes (www.burnes.com) was founded by Charles D. Burnes in 1917. The company is known for innovative, trend‑right photo frame / home decor designs that complement a variety of lifestyles. Products sold under the Burnes and Terragrafics brands serve department store, “big-box,” and independent specialty retailers.
Dedicated to the framing professional since 1867, Nielsen Bainbridge(www.nbframing.com) is one of the world’s leading producers of premium-quality custom and archival picture framing products. Among the company’s many innovations are Alphamat, the first museum-quality board with colored surfaces, and patented Artcare technology, the only mat and mount boards that actively protect artwork from the damaging effects of air pollution and acids generated by the artwork itself. The company is headquartered in Paramus, N.J., and has European operations, in France, Germany, Poland, and United Kingdom.
