From its beginning in 1937 as a manufacturer of quality board and paper products, Savage has provided photographers the essential elements for success. Family-run from the start, Savage has a commitment to quality and innovation that defined the company in the beginning and continues to define it today, and will continue to define it in the future, even if starting December the company will be part of Vitec Imaging Solutions, as it has agreed to acquire Savage Universal Corp and its affiliates, with the deal expected to close by the end of November 2021.
Savage is a global market leader in backgrounds for the professional studio photographic market, based in Phoenix, US. Trusted by creative professionals since 1937, Savage manufactures an extensive range of high quality, specialist, seamless paper backgrounds, or backdrops, ensuring the essential flat, crease-free background surface.
Backgrounds are the largest consumable products in the commercial photography market. An essential tool in every professional studio, they’re quick and easy to set up, and enable photographers to dramatically reduce post-production time, by achieving the desired look directly from camera. For more than 80 years, Savage has led this category offering an extensive range which covers all possible applications and colours.
Although photographic backgrounds continue to be a key focus of Savage’s manufacturing efforts, there’s much more to the Savage story. The company continues to develop innovative products, especially in the digital arena, to meet the needs of today’s more diverse photography community – professionals and semi-professionals alike. All paper is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and 100% recyclable and Savage’s main paper mill supplier is net zero on electricity, having its own hydroelectric dam which covers all of its electricity requirements. In 2019, Savage acquired Superior Specialties Inc., which continues to trade under the name of Superior Paper Specialties, LLC.
In the post-pandemic digital era, professional studio photography has dramatically expanded, led by the growth of e-commerce sales; 90% of online buyers report that image quality is the most important factor in the decision-making process. Savage directly serves this fast-growing market segment, as well as fulfilling the demand from vloggers and influencers for easy-to-set-up backgrounds for their TikTok or YouTube videos.
Marco Pezzana, Divisional CEO of Vitec Imaging Solutions commented: “Savage backgrounds complement Vitec’s existing portfolio of accessories for professional image creators. This acquisition brings together the world’s leading supports and imaging accessories provider with the world’s leading backgrounds manufacturer, serving professional photographers, creators and vloggers with the best-in-class studio equipment.”
Hayward Richard Pressman, Chairman of the Board of Savage Universal Corp commented: “We have had a long and successful relationship with Vitec and know them very well. They share our business values and, as we have, always made the customer the focus of their business. The Savage tradition of offering innovative and quality accessory products supplied promptly and complete will continue. Our Company recently celebrated its 84th year in business. I must express my gratitude to all who have taken this journey with us and thank you for being our partner and bringing us to this point.”