Buffalo Grove Company Acquired After 4 Generations Of Family Ownership

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — A Buffalo Grove company that has been family-owned for four generations has been acquired by a Michigan entrepreneur.

Chicago Show, Inc., a specialized display merchandising company serving customers in the food, automotive and retail industries, was acquired by Mike Hofmann, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to Calder Capital, a nationwide mergers and acquisitions advisory firm.

Subscribe

Founded in 1902, Chicago Show helps brands bring products to market through concepting, design, engineering and production management. The company creates custom point-of-purchase displays, proprietary dispenser programs and merchandising solutions for clients across several industries.

The company had been owned by the Snediker family for four generations. As longtime owner Jim Snediker prepared for retirement, he engaged Calder Capital to identify a buyer who could build on the company’s legacy, customer relationships and merchandising programs.

"After almost 50 years in the advertising display business, I'm ready to move on to more leisurely pursuits with my wife and family, like traveling and volunteering," Snediker said.

Hofmann, an operations and manufacturing leader with more than a decade of experience running businesses in Michigan, said he was drawn to Chicago Show's 124-year history, long-standing customer relationships and proprietary display and dispenser programs.

"Chicago Show has 124 years of customer trust built into it," Hofmann said. "That is not something you build from scratch. What excited me most was the depth of the programs already in place and the customer relationships that come with them."

Hofmann said he plans to expand the company's customer base while building on the foundation created by Snediker and his family.

"I am focused on expanding what's working and bringing new partners into the fold," Hofmann said. "This business has a lot of runway."

Calder Capital served as the exclusive sell-side mergers and acquisitions adviser to Chicago Show. Jake McDonald of Calder Capital was the lead mergers and acquisitions adviser, and Drew Woods served as lead analyst.

According to Calder, the sale process generated strong market interest, with 295 confidential information memorandums distributed to qualified buyers, 18 indications of interest received and several letters of intent reviewed. Chicago Show was brought to market in September, a letter of intent was executed in December and the transaction closed in May.

Snediker said the Calder team helped make an emotional family business transition less stressful than expected.

"I can't express how much Garrett, Drew, Nate, Clayton and especially Jake made the transaction as stress free as possible for me," Snediker said. "This was an emotional decision for my family and me, but the Calder Team really made the whole transaction a lot less stressful for me than I anticipated."

McDonald called Chicago Show "a rare example of a business succeeding through four generations of family ownership."

"Jim built and preserved a lean, relationship-driven business, and Mike's operational background and hands-on approach made him an excellent fit for the company’s next chapter," McDonald said.

Max Friar, Calder's managing partner, said businesses like Chicago Show are "among the most rewarding clients we serve."

"Jim built a remarkable fourth-generation family business, and it was an honor to help transition that legacy to capable new owners," Friar said.

Legal counsel for the seller was provided by Nate Russell of Rhoades McKee.