Albert Basse Associates: Diversification Brings Opportunities

When it comes to growth in the wide-format segment, you can’t get much better than seeing A sales spike Greater than 66% year-over-year. And that is exactly what Albert Basse Associates, based in Stoughton, Massachusetts, experienced.

Albert Basse IV, business development (left); Ed Basse, vice president of sales and marketing; and Albert “Chip” Basse III, president, Albert Basse Associates, who says, “Those prepared to adapt with updated equipment and technologies are well-positioned to capture market share.”

The company focuses almost entirely on wide-format applications, with 97% of its work coming from that space. “Our customer base primarily consists of retail clients across several market segments, including grocery stores, convenience stores, office supply stores, footwear and apparel retailers, large drugstore chains, and traditional department stores,” notes Albert “Chip” Basse III, president of the company. “In addition, we directly service numerous brands across various industries, such as footwear, food and beverage, clothing, fragrance, pharmaceuticals, and liquor.”

And it doesn't stick to just one type of wide-format application, either. The company produces an impressive range of products, including window graphics, banners/soft signage, wall and interior décor, directional signage, decals, POP displays, backlit displays, floor graphics, headers, backers, and more. “Essentially, we can produce any graphic needed within a retail setting,” Basse says.

As for that small percentage of non-wide-format work? That is also going strong, with Basse noting the company produces items including graphic overlays, notebook covers, and flyers. Some of the work involves hybrid processes, combining digital and screen printing.

That diverse range of customers and applications didn’t happen by accident. Basse says the ability to serve such a range of customers and applications was the result of deliberate investments to diversify their offerings.

“With the addition of new equipment over the past couple of years, we have expanded our capabilities in terms of size and product mix," he explains. "Our faster, larger, and higher-quality digital technology has enabled us to increase our offerings and broaden our customer base.”

What does that mean for the future? Basse is optimistic about the state of wide-format — both where it is today, and where it is headed. That said, he does note that it won’t be without its challenges.

“The past year has been marked by unpredictability, with factors such as inflation, supply shortages, advancements in AI and emerging technologies, and the political climate, all influencing the industry,” Basse says. “Additionally, this segment is becoming increasingly saturated as new competitors enter the market. Despite these challenges, increased competition has the potential to foster a stronger, more efficient market. Those prepared to adapt with updated equipment and technologies are well-positioned to capture market share. Now that the election has concluded, we anticipate new opportunities from clients who were previously hesitant to commit.”

Basse believes there is still a lot of room for growth within the retail spaces, and he especially sees the architectural and interior design sectors as promising areas for expansion. “This sector aligns well with our capabilities and represents a key growth market for us,” he notes.