Moss, a producer of premium graphics, complex structures, and custom installations for branded experiences based outside of Chicago, has acquired Stretch Shapes, a Eugene, Ore.-based supplier of fabric-based products used to create immersive environments for set designers and live event producers.  

Back story: Led by founder Niko Mantele, the 15-year-old company has executed projects at notable live events such as Coachella, Formula One, and PGA Tournaments. With a team of more than 40 professionals, the reusable stretch fabric structure company serves clients, such as Live Nation, BaAM, and rEvolution Marketing. 

What they're saying: “Stretch Shapes is a tremendous business and has capitalized on a clear market gap,” said Jason Popp, president and CEO, Moss. “Niko Mantele has succeeded in combining a compelling product offering with a highly energized and dedicated team. It’s a culture that resonates strongly with Moss’s values: exceeding client expectations, delivering to the highest standards and creating an inclusive workplace where our employees thrive.”  

What’s next: The Stretch Shapes team remain in place. Mantele will lean into his creative roots as vice president event and experiential product development for Moss and Nancy Willcox Trent will assume the role of plant manager for Moss’s west coast operations. The leadership team will work closely with Moss senior executives Sarah Browning, EVP and COO, and Dan Hilbert, chief growth officer, to ensure a seamless transition.   

Looking ahead: “This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for Stretch Shapes as we celebrate our 15th anniversary,” said Mantele. “Joining Moss aligns perfectly with our values and allows us to go even further in our mission of creating extraordinary, unforgettable experiences for our clients and their guests. It’s exciting to be part of a growing, global business.”   

Context: This marks Moss's second acquisition in just over a year, following its purchase of UK-based Macro Art (now Moss UK) in November 2023. Moss, a 45-year-old company, has operations spanning the U.S., Germany, Poland, and the UK.   

Related: Listen to our Trade Show Talk podcast, Creating Places for Clients with Moss Inc.’s Jason Popp  

We sat down with Popp to find out more about the deal and how the acquisition strengthens Moss's position as a creative production leader for corporate brand experiences and enhances its presence and product range in the growing large-scale live event industry. Here are highlights from our Q&A. 

What can you share about the value of the deal?   

As a private company, the terms are undisclosed. 

What prompted Moss to acquire Stretch Shapes, and how does this acquisition align with your strategic goals for expanding capabilities in live events and branded experiences? 

We are always looking for ways to serve our clients better and make their already complicated lives easier. The acquisition of Stretch Shapes allows us to provide a more centralized and comprehensive solution for our customers. Stretch Shapes has a unique set of products and custom solutions for set designers, live event producers, and AV providers. In many cases, these solutions are also applicable to Moss clients. 

How will Stretch Shapes’ expertise in fabric-based solutions enhance Moss’s offerings for trade show exhibitors and large-scale live event producers?   

In the trade show market, we service agencies, exhibit builders, design and build companies-- basically anyone in the channel who is serving exhibitors. Stretch Shapes’ products and solutions will also be available to those customers needing elements like truss covers, custom backdrops, screens, etc.   

With Stretch Shapes’ history of projects at high-profile events like Coachella and Formula One, how do you plan to leverage their portfolio and expertise to grow your presence in the live event industry?   

At Moss, we’ve been doing more and more production in experiential marketing and live events, so we’re excited to now have access to those customers looking for a more complete set of solutions. Let’s take an example: a set designer will create artwork for a new backdrop concept for a general session. To bring that creative concept to life, the set designers will buy certain custom items like borderless projection screens and printed archways from Stretch Shapes. Together, we can now offer a complete solution by adding custom Moss structures, hanging elements and multiple lighting effects. Ultimately, the goal is to bring the best of what each company does to each other’s client base. 

What synergies do you foresee between the two companies, particularly in terms of innovation, sustainability, and delivering memorable branded environments?   

Stretch Shapes has a history of bringing innovative new products to market that fit very specific customer needs. Therefore, I’m very excited that Stretch Shapes’ founder, Niko Mantele, is remaining with Moss and will take on the role of VP of event and experiential product development. He’ll bring his innovative approach to product development to a wider opportunity set. 

As the trade show and live event industry continues to evolve, what role do you see Moss and Stretch Shapes playing together in shaping the future of experiential design and production?  

If there is one thing that will never change, it is that experiential marketing will always demand innovation. Every year, our agency customers receive the call for the next big brand idea. With that said, every big idea brings production complexity. With this acquisition, our combined scale, manufacturing design expertise and access to innovative materials will bring these breakthrough ideas to life; from outdoor festivals to general session stage sets, indoor pop-up events to live sports activations.