New Jersey-headquartered Proforma Spectrum Graphics has acquired DataGuide, a Boston, MA-based printing and promotional products distributor. Financial terms of the deal were not released, but executives noted that DataGuide does more than $3 million in annual revenue.

Proforma Spectrum is an affiliate of Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094). Spectrum owner Jay Vento, an industry veteran of nearly 35 years, said the acquisition is part of a strategy that Proforma is helping him execute to propel his business to $25 million in annual sales.

Jay Vento, Proforma Spectrum Graphics

“I am very excited to add DataGuide to my growing company,” said Vento. “Proforma has helped me every step of the way (with the acquisition), including introducing me to the initial opportunity and negotiating the contract, as well as handling onboarding and training the DataGuide team.”

DataGuide President Chris Higgins said the firm considered a number of acquisition suitors, but felt Proforma Spectrum was the right way to go based on elements like technology support and other resources he believes will help fuel growth and success. “Proforma Spectrum Graphics presented the best potential,” Higgins said.

Greg Armstrong, Proforma’s chief sales officer, said the Top 40 firm’s technology and acquisitions team helps affiliates navigate acquisitions and onboarding. “Mergers and acquisitions can present more complexities than what most businesses anticipate,” Armstrong said.

In 2022 and early 2023, merger and acquisition activity in promo was occurring at a brisk pace. Not as many deals have been announced of late, but as the Proforma Spectrum acquisition evidences, M&A is certainly still occurring.

Vento/Proforma Spectrum Graphics is part of Proforma’s $10 Million Dollar Club, meaning the distributorship does more than $10 million in sales annually.

Based on reported 2021 North American promotional product revenue of $540.8 million, Proforma ranked fourth on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. The new rankings will be released this summer.