The Spandex Group
The Spandex Group is a Swiss-headquartered distributor and manufacturer of specialty materials for the visual communications market, operating across 60+ countries with 1,200+ employees. It serves 45,000+ customers in sign-making, graphics, automotive wrap, architectural, and digital printing industries through its Spandex, Berger Textiles, and Eikon businesses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersDietlikon, Switzerland
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Spandex Group does
The Spandex Group is a privately held, Swiss-headquartered distributor and manufacturer of specialty materials for the visual communications market, operating across more than 60 countries with over 1,200 employees and serving 45,000+ customers. Founded in the UK in 1976 by Charlie and Mary Dobson, the Group is organized around three core businesses: Spandex (distribution of 35,000+ products across sign-making, graphics, automotive wrap, architectural, and digital printing end-markets), Berger Textiles (digitally printable textile solutions, 450+ products, 170+ years of heritage), and Eikon (manufacturer of self-adhesive films under the Imageperfect brand, 250+ products). Revenue is generated primarily through B2B distribution of third-party brands (including 3M, Avery Dennison, and Orafol) and proprietary brands (Imageperfect, AUTO, Tectex) via direct field sales, an e-commerce platform (shop.spandex.com across 19 countries), and regional distributor partners, with quote-based pricing and 98% of orders delivered next-day from 40+ warehouses.
The Group's growth strategy has been executed predominantly through acquisitions since 2011, when management partnered with Gilde Buy Out Partners to buy back Spandex from Gerber Scientific; Chequers Capital subsequently acquired the company in 2016. Geographic expansion has been a consistent theme, with the Group entering the United States via Regional Supply (2019) and NEPCO (2022), and adding reflective products through Lakeside (2024). Recent product initiatives include the AUTO brand (2024) for vehicle wrappers and the Zeno subscription-based wrap-visualization software (2023), alongside a 2023 Sustainability Strategy. The Group has been led by CEO John Penninck since 2026, succeeding Andrew Coulsen (2021), and reports senior leadership including CFO Julie McIntosh, SVP Leon Watson, Director of Sustainability Helen Dalton, and Chief People Officer Brenda Mostert.
The Spandex Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Spandex Group
- Legal name
- The Spandex Group
- Website
- https://spandex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The Spandex Group is a Swiss-headquartered distributor and manufacturer of specialty materials for the visual communications market, operating across 60+ countries with 1,200+ employees. It serves 45,000+ customers in sign-making, graphics, automotive wrap, architectural, and digital printing industries through its Spandex, Berger Textiles, and Eikon businesses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Spandex Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Visual Communications Materials Distribution
- NAICS
- Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Shrink Sleeves & Stretch Sleeves (IMALAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Flexible Paper Packaging & Wraps (kraft wrap, pouches, laminations) (IMAMAHAF), Packaging & Product Brand Design (BPAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where The Spandex Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dietlikon
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Spandex Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Distribution of Specialty Materials: Revenue is generated through the distribution and sale of specialty materials including self-adhesive films, digital printable textiles, and related products to the visual communications industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B pricing through direct sales and e-commerce |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Spandex Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Spandex Group distributes and manufactures specialty materials for the visual communications market, including self-adhesive films, digital printable textiles, signage substrates, and vehicle wrap materials. Through three operating businesses (Spandex, Berger Textiles, and Eikon), it offers 35,000+ products to over 45,000 professional customers across 60+ countries in the sign-making, graphics, automotive, architectural, and digital printing industries. The Group supplements material distribution with technical expertise, e-commerce ordering, and proprietary software such as the Zeno wrap visualization tool.
Product overview
The Spandex Group is one of the world's leading solutions providers to the visual communications market, comprising three core businesses: Spandex (distribution of materials, display systems and equipment), Berger Textiles (digitally printable textile solutions), and Eikon (self-adhesive film manufacturing). Spandex distributes over 35,000 products from top industry brands including 3M, Avery Dennison, and Orafol, while Berger Textiles offers 450+ textile products across 55 countries. Eikon's Imageperfect brand manufactures over 250 film products including polymeric, monomeric, and PVC-free options. The Group also offers proprietary brands including AUTO (automotive wrap materials), Imageperfect (owned by Eikon), and Zeno software (wrap visualization tool). With operations in 60+ countries, the Group serves sign-makers, graphic professionals, vehicle wrappers, textile professionals, and interior décor businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Imageperfect: Portfolio of over 250 products for visual communication, including polymeric, monomeric and PVC-free films. Result of 40 years of continuous product development, manufacturing expertise and quality control. Sold and supported via partners worldwide to customers in over 60 countries.
- AUTO
- Tectex
Products and services
- Spandex (distribution business) Leading global solutions provider and supplier of materials, display systems and equipment to the graphics, automotive and architectural markets; offers 35,000+ products through online stores across 19 countries, serving 45,000+ customers with 98% next-day delivery to sign-making, graphics, automotive, architectural and digital printing industries.
- Berger Textiles International provider of digitally printable textile solutions for soft signage, apparel, décor and architectural markets. Offers 450+ products in 55 countries including lightbox displays, exhibition stands, and REACH-compliant, PVC-free, and phthalate-free environmentally responsible materials.
- Tectex France-based manufacturer and distributor of textile solutions owned by Berger Textiles, specializing in aluminium frames and displays for soft signage and display systems.
- Eikon Innovative developer and manufacturer of self-adhesive films for visual communication, with over 40 years of product development and manufacturing expertise. Products include polymeric, monomeric and PVC-free films for signage, promotion, decoration, protection and branding applications.
- Imageperfect Brand of self-adhesive film materials owned by Eikon, comprising over 250 products including digital materials, signage materials, speciality films, window and decorative films, and vehicle wraps. Sold and supported via partners worldwide in over 60 countries.
- AUTO Own brand of automotive wrap materials launched by Spandex in 2024, dedicated to meeting the needs of professional wrappers, detailers and fleet applicators. Partners with world-leading manufacturers to create product lines for the automotive customization market.
- Zeno Subscription-based software that helps professional wrappers create, visualize and sell full or partial vehicle wraps. Launched in Europe exclusively by Spandex in 2023.
Companies that use The Spandex Group
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Spandex Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Spandex Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- 3Mcore3M is a key manufacturing partner for Spandex, providing self-adhesive films and specialty materials for the visual communications market. Spandex distributes 3M products as part of its comprehensive product portfolio.
- Avery DennisoncoreAvery Dennison is a major supplier partner providing graphic films and materials that Spandex distributes globally to the visual communications industry.
- OrafolcoreOrafol is a key partner supplying specialty films and graphic materials that complement Spandex's product portfolio for visual communications applications.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
The Spandex Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Drytac: UK/Canada-based manufacturer of mounting films, laminates, and printable media for signage and graphics. Direct competitor in the specialty materials category with overlapping distribution channels.
- Ritrama: Italian manufacturer of self-adhesive films for labelling, graphics, and visual communications. Competitor to Spandex's film distribution offering, with overlap in European sign-making customers.
- Arlon Graphics: US-based manufacturer of graphic films and digital print media. A direct competitor to Spandex's distribution and Eikon manufacturing businesses, supplying the same sign-maker and vehicle-wrap customer base.
- Sihl: German manufacturer of digitally printable substrates and technical coatings for graphics, signage, and textile applications. Competes with Spandex's Berger Textiles division in digitally printable textiles and coated substrates.
- Grafityp: Belgian manufacturer and distributor of self-adhesive films for sign-making, vehicle graphics, and window decoration. Directly competes with Spandex's Eikon brand and distribution portfolio in Europe.
- FDC Graphic Films: US-based distributor of sign-making films, digital print media, and graphic substrates. Direct competitor to Spandex's North American distribution business serving sign-makers and print service providers.
- Hexis: French manufacturer and distributor of self-adhesive vinyl films for vehicle wraps, signage, and visual communication. Competes directly with Spandex's Eikon subsidiary and Imageperfect brand in the same product category and customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Orafol Europe: German global manufacturer of self-adhesive films, reflective materials, and graphic media. Spandex's key supplier partner but also a broad incumbent competitor with its own worldwide distribution reaching the same end customers.
- Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions: Global manufacturer of graphic and reflective films for vehicle wrapping, signage, and architectural applications. Both a key Spandex supplier and a direct competitor via its own distribution network and direct-to-customer channels.
- 3M Commercial Solutions: Global manufacturer of graphic films, sign-making materials, and architectural finishes within 3M's broader portfolio. Functions as Spandex's largest supplier partner and as a broad incumbent that sells directly into overlapping customer segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Spandex Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Spandex Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Spandex Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Spandex Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries21 records
The Spandex Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Spandex Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A11 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Spandex Group
What does The Spandex Group do?
The Spandex Group distributes and manufactures specialty materials for the visual communications market, including self-adhesive films, digital printable textiles, signage substrates, and vehicle wrap materials. Through three operating businesses (Spandex, Berger Textiles, and Eikon), it offers 35,000+ products to over 45,000 professional customers across 60+ countries in the sign-making, graphics, automotive, architectural, and digital printing industries. The Group supplements material distribution with technical expertise, e-commerce ordering, and proprietary software such as the Zeno wrap visualization tool.
Is The Spandex Group a public or private company?
The Spandex Group is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was The Spandex Group founded?
The Spandex Group was founded in 1976. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is The Spandex Group based?
The Spandex Group is headquartered in Dietlikon, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does The Spandex Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: distribution of Specialty Materials.
Who are The Spandex Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Drytac, Ritrama, Arlon Graphics, Sihl, Grafityp, FDC Graphic Films and Hexis. Broad incumbents are Orafol Europe, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions and 3M Commercial Solutions.
Does The Spandex Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Spandex Group.
What industry is The Spandex Group in?
The Spandex Group's product category is Visual Communications Materials Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAKAD, Shrink Sleeves & Stretch Sleeves, with a secondary code of IMAMAHAF, Flexible Paper Packaging & Wraps (kraft wrap, pouches, laminations). Its NAICS code is 3231 and its SIC code is 2300.