Burnes merges with Nielsen Bainbridge

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 7/10/2012 11:41:06 AM

PARAMAS, N.J. -- Burnes, a designer and marketer of photo frames and home décor formerly Burnes of Boston, has merged with Nielsen Bainbridge, a producer of professional picture framing products.

The merger makes the Nielsen Bainbridge Group the world's largest framing company, according to a press release. Nielsen Bainbridge, based here, acquired Pinnacle Frames & Accents, a supplier of photo frames and albums to the mass market, based in Austin, Texas, in 2011.

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, CEO, Nielsen Bainbridge. "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."

Together, the three companies have unsurpassed buying, sourcing, design, manufacturing and management capabilities, Kroll continued.
Each company retains its pre-acquisition or merger marketing and sales teams.

"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, Burnes was founded by Charles D. Burnes in 1917. Products sold under the Burnes brand can be found in department store, "big-box" and independent specialty retailers.