What PD Instore does

PD Instore is a privately held, design-to-build visual merchandising and retail environment partner headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1938 as a garage screen-printing business by Jack and Arline Bernie (previously known as Process Displays). The company operates a 600K+ sq ft one-stop-shop campus — including specialized TEMPO (temporary displays), R&D, Solid (permanent fixtures), and Fulfillment divisions — where 250+ designers, builders, engineers, and innovators execute concept, 3D rendering, prototyping, printing, fabrication, finishing, logistics, and nationwide installation under one roof. Its product portfolio spans Fixturing, Displays, Graphic Programs, Shop-In-Shops, Interactive Tech (touchless, smart sensors, lighting, sound, motion), Brand Launches, Print Services, and add-on offerings such as the 2nd Life sustainability repurposing program and Pre-Launch Blackout IP-protection services.

The business generates revenue through project-based, quote-priced custom engagements sold directly to enterprise retail and brand clients. Notable customers include Taco Bell (DEFY multi-lane drive-thru concept co-developed with Vertical Works and Border Foods), Indian Motorcycle (300+ shops worldwide), YETI (Scheels retail environments), Sony (named a top supplier of in-store experiences in 2020), Under Armour, AVEDA, Anheuser-Busch, Gallery Furniture, Overlander, and Champs Sports. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by portfolio showcase and referrals from existing high-profile relationships, supported by LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube presence plus case-study content on its website.

The company is currently controlled by the founding Bernie family, who reacquired it in 2020 after a 2015 sale to a third party. Leadership includes CEO Michael Strommen and founder/owner Jay Strommen. Strategic positioning emphasizes vertical integration, sustainability through the 2nd Life program, interactive technology integration, and a "Future Forward" growth mandate established in 2022. The company does not disclose revenue, has no public funding rounds, and operates without disclosed institutional investors.

Name

PD Instore

Legal name

PD Instore

Website

https://pdinstore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

PD Instore is a Minneapolis-based, family-owned design-to-build partner that designs, fabricates, and installs custom visual merchandising, fixtures, displays, graphics, and interactive retail environments for enterprise brands such as Taco Bell, Indian Motorcycle, YETI, Sony, and Under Armour.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Visual Merchandising & Retail Environment Services: PD Instore generates revenue through custom design-to-build projects for retail and brand environments, including temporary and permanent fixtures, displays, graphic programs, shop-in-shops, interactive tech solutions, brand launches, and print services. Revenue is project-based with custom pricing per engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PD Instore is a design-to-build partner that delivers custom visual merchandising, retail fixtures, displays, graphic programs, shop-in-shops, interactive retail technology, brand launches, and print services for enterprise brands. Operating from a 600,000+ sq ft one-stop-shop campus in Minneapolis, the company handles concept, 3D rendering, prototyping, fabrication, finishing, fulfillment, and nationwide installation under one roof for clients such as Taco Bell, YETI, Sony, Under Armour, Indian Motorcycle, AVEDA, and Anheuser-Busch.

Product overview

PD Instore is a design-to-build partner offering a comprehensive suite of retail merchandising solutions organized around a One-Stop Shop model. The core portfolio includes Fixturing (custom temporary/permanent fixtures), Displays (high-impact signage), Graphic Programs (window displays, wall murals, fabric graphics), Shop-In-Shops (custom retail environments), Interactive Tech (smart sensors, touchless, lights, sound, motion), Brand Launches, and Print Services (screen, litho, dye sublimation, digital textile, large format). These products are supported by specialized divisions: TEMPO (temporary fixtures), R&D (innovation and prototyping), Solid (permanent fixtures), and Fulfillment. Additional offerings include the 2nd Life Program for sustainability through fixture repurposing, and specialized services for Sustainability, Pre-Launch Blackout security, and Nationwide Brand Rollouts. The company serves major brands including Gallery Furniture, Taco Bell, YETI, Sony, Under Armour, and Anheuser-Busch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-Stop Shop Design-to-Build Services Comprehensive design-to-build engagement for retail and brand environments, spanning concept and design, 3D rendering, R&D prototyping, print, build, logistics, fulfillment/kitting, and ship/install, organized around TEMPO (temporary displays), R&D (innovation), and permanent fixture divisions for enterprise retail and consumer brands.
• Custom Retail Fixturing Custom temporary and permanent retail fixtures including Slatwall, Grid Wall, Gondola, and Display Fixtures, designed for specific brand environments with modular solutions for future flexibility, built in-house across wood, metal, acrylic, fabric, and electronics.
• High-Impact Displays High-impact signage and product displays for retail environments, including Fast Turn POP, seasonal POS kits, semi-permanent fixtures, window displays, wall murals, and graphics designed to showcase products and drive customer engagement.
• Graphic Programs Full-service retail graphics from design through installation, including window displays, wall murals, 3D pegboards, Fast Turn POP, seasonal POS kits, and fabric graphics for enterprise brand environments.
• Shop-In-Shop Environments Custom design-to-build shop-in-shop environments that bring brands into physical retail spaces, with overhead elements, seamless storage, and product demo experiences for enterprise brands placing activations inside host retailers.
• Interactive Retail Technology Interactive in-store technology solutions including smart sensors, touchless interfaces, lighting, sound, and motion control, integrated into retail environments for enterprise brands to elevate customer engagement.
• Brand Launch Activations End-to-end brand launch solutions that drive customer awareness and excitement by reimagining traditional retail experiences, combining industry knowledge with production insight to deliver product introductions for enterprise brands.
• Print Services Custom graphics production across screen, litho, dye sublimation transfer, digital textile, and large format printing on a wide range of materials, with installation follow-through for retail and brand environments.
• 2nd Life Sustainability Program Sustainability service that explores, retrieves, deconstructs, repurposes, and redeploys decommissioned retail fixtures and components — including wood, metal, electronics, fabric, and acrylic — into new uses such as community-support furniture.
• Exhibition & Event Displays Premium, durable merchandise displays engineered for outdoor exhibitions and events, featuring wire grid systems with slatted wooden panels designed for quick production, setup, transport, and re-use across shows.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 shops redesigned, engineered, and installed worldwide for Indian Motorcycle
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship.

• Vertical WorksflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PD Instore partnered with Vertical Works and Border Foods to create Taco Bell DEFY, a first-of-its-kind restaurant featuring multiple drive-thru lanes and a proprietary lift system. The collaboration blended disruptive design with innovative technology to revolutionize the fast food drive-thru experience.
• Border FoodsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021As part of the Taco Bell DEFY project, Border Foods collaborated with PD Instore and Vertical Works to implement the new restaurant format with innovative food delivery technology.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jack Nadel International: Jack Nadel International designs, produces, and installs custom retail displays, fixtures, and branded environments — closely aligned with PD Instore's design-to-build model and enterprise retail customer base.
• Sparks: Sparks is a design-to-build visual merchandising and custom retail display producer serving enterprise brands — directly comparable to PD Instore in fixturing, shop-in-shops, and experiential retail builds.
• Trion Industries: Trion Industries manufactures custom retail store fixtures, shelving, and display systems for enterprise brands — comparable to PD Instore in fixture design and large-scale retail rollouts.
• Displayworks: Displayworks designs and manufactures custom retail displays, fixtures, and in-store environments for global brands — directly comparable in product category, customer profile, and integrated delivery model.
• FRCH Design Worldwide: FRCH Design Worldwide is a retail store design and brand-environment firm serving enterprise retailers and brands — closely aligned with PD Instore's design-led, large-format retail environment work.
• Frank Mayer & Associates: Frank Mayer & Associates designs, engineers, and integrates custom retail display systems and in-store technology — a direct peer to PD Instore in custom displays, fixtures, and tech-enabled retail environments.
• Daymon: Daymon provides private-brand development and in-store retail services including merchandising, displays, and brand activations — comparable to PD Instore in supporting enterprise brands at retail.
• King Retail Solutions: King Retail Solutions provides full-service design, fabrication, and installation of retail fixtures and visual merchandising programs — a direct peer in the custom design-to-build retail fixture space.
• BR Printers: BR Printers produces custom in-store graphics, displays, and point-of-purchase materials for enterprise retail brands — directly comparable to PD Instore's print, graphic, and display program services.
• DCI Marketing: DCI Marketing is an in-store marketing services provider delivering displays, fixtures, and retail experience solutions — a direct peer serving similar enterprise retail clients with comparable design-build capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwqyRTgXSvSgt05rWgJTeew
• Facebookfacebook.com/pdinstore/?ref=page_internal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pd-instore
• Instagraminstagram.com/pdinstore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PD Instore