Acquisition expands VGS's architectural-signage capabilities, manufacturing capacity and regional service platform through a new Nashville operation.
CARLSTADT, N.J. and NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Visual Graphic Systems, Inc. (VGS), a 100% employee-owned, fully integrated visual-communications, design and manufacturing company, today announced that it has acquired ImageLife, LLC, a Nashville-based architectural-signage company. The transaction closed on September 1, 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Although VGS has served national clients across 12 vertical markets for over four decades, the acquisition establishes the company's first physical manufacturing, sales and operational presence in the Southeast. Operating as ImageLife, LLC, a VGS Company, the Nashville location will complement VGS's Carlstadt, New Jersey headquarters and manufacturing operation while expanding the combined organization's architectural-signage expertise and regional reach.
"The acquisition of ImageLife represents an important next step in VGS's national growth strategy," said Paul Theodore, President and Chief Executive Officer of VGS. "Our companies share a commitment to craftsmanship, customer service and building long-term relationships. By bringing together ImageLife's architectural-signage expertise and strong Nashville presence with VGS's integrated design, manufacturing and national rollout capabilities, we are creating greater capacity, broader expertise and a stronger service platform for customers throughout the Southeast and across the country."
ImageLife is a boutique architectural-signage manufacturer and turnkey provider specializing in custom architectural signage, environmental graphics, wayfinding and ADA signage, branded environments, exterior signage and specialty fabrication. Its hands-on design-build approach—from engineering coordination through installation—is particularly suited to complex, highly customized work. The company's approximately 10,000-square-foot Nashville facility and 14-person team will remain in place, with room to expand the operation to approximately twice its current size.
The Nashville team will continue delivering complete projects and serving its relationships with general contractors, developers, architects and designers, now supported by VGS's substantially larger manufacturing platform, integrated design resources and national rollout capabilities. The combined organization will be positioned to pursue larger, more complex opportunities while providing added production flexibility and closer Southeast support. VGS expects to invest in additional equipment, personnel, technology and sales resources as the Nashville business grows.
Cody Chlebowski will continue to oversee the Nashville operation, join the VGS Executive Management Team and serve as Vice President of Architectural Sales.
"Joining VGS creates an exciting opportunity for our employees and customers," Chlebowski said. "We are preserving the responsiveness, relationships, hands-on problem-solving and accountability that have built ImageLife's reputation, while gaining access to VGS's design resources, manufacturing scale and national platform. Together, we will be able to pursue larger opportunities, expand our capabilities and continue growing in Nashville and throughout the Southeast."
VGS views Nashville as an integral component of its five-year growth plan. The region's continued development, central geographic position and strong labor market provide a foundation for serving customers throughout the Southeast. The company anticipates that expansion of the Nashville production and distribution operation will create additional local employment opportunities and remains open to further strategic opportunities that support its national growth.
The DAK Group, Ltd. served as financial advisor to VGS in connection with the transaction.
About Visual Graphic Systems, Inc.
Visual Graphic Systems, Inc. (VGS) is a 100% employee-owned, fully integrated visual-communications, design and manufacturing company headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey. For 45 years, VGS has helped leading brands translate strategy into built environments through design, value engineering, rapid prototyping, fabrication and national rollout. Supported by an in-house design studio and 110,000 square feet of New Jersey manufacturing space, VGS delivers interior and exterior signage, graphics and décor, display fixtures, print production, menu boards, drive-thru systems, wayfinding and ADA signage, donor recognition, millwork and digital/interactive solutions across 12 vertical markets and thousands of projects. Learn more at www.vgsonline.com.
About ImageLife, LLC
ImageLife, LLC is a Nashville-based boutique architectural-signage manufacturer and turnkey provider serving commercial, cultural and healthcare environments. Through a hands-on design-build model, the company delivers custom architectural signage, environmental graphics, way-finding and ADA signage, branded environments, exterior signage and specialty fabrication. Known for solving complex, highly customized architectural challenges, ImageLife operates from an approximately 10,000-square-foot facility with capacity for future expansion and now operates as ImageLife, LLC, a VGS Company.
Media Contact
Patrick Benasillo, EVP & CCO, Visual Graphic Systems, Inc., 1 201-528-2224, [email protected], www.vgsonline.com
SOURCE Visual Graphic Systems, Inc.
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