Universal Framing Products, a national moulding supplier based in Southern California with an East Coast location in New Jersey, acquired Arquati Moulding, a national supplier based in Dallas, TX. Universal Framing Products is a leader in the industry offering high quality picture frame moulding in the latest styles at value prices. Arquati Moulding has been recognized as a leader in wood picture frame moulding since 1960, with superior crafted and exquisitely designed picture frame mouldings from Italy. The new company will be called Universal Arquati Moulding.
     The merger between the two companies will enhance the product offering and provide customers with a very well rounded moulding collection. Arquati's location in Dallas will provide Universal with a distribution point that will allow Universal to better serve its customers in the region. Universal has also acquired the Arquati product design team and its factories. The Arquati team will be able to better serve their customers with the support of the Universal management, customer service, and sales rep teams. The acquisition provides strategic distribution points for the Arquati line on the West Coast from the company headquarters in Santa Clarita and on the East Coast in Somerset, NJ. “We consider this a win-win situation for both companies,” says UFP President Mark Gottlieb.
      The company plans to operate Arquati in Dallas as before but with the added support and product line of Universal. Arquati customers can feel assured that the union should improve the service and product already provided by Arquati. “We are quite thrilled to be part of the new family at Universal Framing Products,” says Arquati Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kevin McKenna.
      The new “Universal Arquati” will be unveiled at the West Coast Art & Frame Show on January 26. Please visit booth 1905 to see the familiar faces of the new company. For more information, call Carla Staley at 661-362-6262 ext. 2020.

ITW AMP to Be Exclusive Valiani U.S. Distributor
ITW AMP, a division of Illinois Tool Works, manufacturer and distributor of cutting and joining equipment, hand tools, and fasteners for the picture framing and woodworking industries, has announced a new North American partnership with Valiani Srl of Italy, manufacturer of mat cutting equipment, specializing in computerized mat cutters. ITW AMP will be the exclusive distributor of Valiani products in the U.S. and Canada.
      According to Timm Fields, global general manager of ITW AMP (USA) and ITW Alfamacchine (Italy), “We will be able to offer our customers a complete equipment and service solution for their frame and mat production needs no matter how large or small their operation.”
      Chris Heffter, sales manager for ITW AMP (formerly managing director of Valiani North America), says, “The overwhelming positive response to the Valiani product line of Interchangeable Head CMCs, coupled with the phenomenal products, customer support services, and financial strengths of ITW AMP, make for an extremely powerful partnership. ITW AMP has the capital and human and strategic resources to properly support our continued growth in North America. Furthermore, ITW is truly aligned with our innovation and 'quality first' mindset.”
       ITW AMP Business Manager Tom Sylvester notes that the company plans to offer bundled equipment packages and programs for any budget that will allow framers to re-tool their operations, making them more efficient and profitable. Customer support service will be enhanced due to the partnership.
      The companies will be sponsoring classes at the West Coast Art & Frame Show in Las Vegas. For more information, contact Chris Heffter at 888-VALIANI or send e-mail to chris.heffter@valiani-na.com or call Tom Sylvester at 847-821-7499 or e-mail him at tom.sylvester@itwamp.com.

Larson-Juhl Supports Maryland's Urban Tree Canopy Initiative
Larson-Juhl has contributed 4,600 trees to the Urban Tree Canopy Initiative in Maryland, in conjunction with its Global ReLeaf Forest Foundation. The goals of the Urban Tree Canopy Initiative are to improve water quality and manage storm water runoff by increasing the total tree canopy along the streams and tributaries that feed the Chesapeake Bay.
      Maryland's Urban Tree Canopy Initiative is one of four projects that took place in 2009 across the U.S. Through this and the other 2009 donation projects, more than 350,000 trees were planted on behalf of Larson-Juhl.
The Global ReLeaf program stems from its parent organization, American Forests, and was put in place to educate people and to take action to improve the global environment. Since 1991, American Forests has planted more than 25 million trees with the help of 500 projects like the Larson-Juhl Global ReLeaf program, which has funded the planting of over a quarter of a million trees in the U.S. and around the world. To learn more, visit www.LarsonJuhl.com.

Roma Sponsors Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale
Roma Moulding joined OCAD, Canada's premiere art and design school, as an event partner for its signature fundraiser, Whodunit? OCAD's Mystery Art Sale on November 18, 2009. The idea behind the sale is for attendees to Like it—buy it—turn it over—and see Whodunit!
      This event , now in its eighth year, offers hundreds of original pieces of art donated by artists who are famous and not-yet-famous. All artwork is donated by Canadian artists, creative celebrities, and OCAD faculty, alumni, and students. All picture frames were donated by Roma Moulding.
      More than 500 guests bid on 120 items included in a curated silent auction, as well as participated in a live auction featuring work from a group of emerging artists. The proceeds totaled more than $68,000 and will be directed towards the purchase of specialized equipment. There were 1,500 pieces of art in the Whodunit? public sale, which took place on Saturday, November 21st.
      For more information visit www.ocad.ca.