Moss, a company with roots in the Midcoast and now thriving in Illinois, was recently acquired by Vomela, based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On Dec. 16, the Vomela Companies, a North American provider of visual communications, graphics, and experiential events, announced the acquisition of Moss Inc., a producer of event and retail graphics, complex structures, and custom installations.

"This strategic move combines two powerhouses serving the live events and experiential industry," according to a news release about the acquisition.

The new name of the events business unit will be called Moss, A Vomela Company. 

Founded in 1955 by Bill Moss, the company — then known as Moss Tents and headquartered in Camden — grew from a passion of industrial design and tensioned fabric. Bill Moss designed and patented the first “pop-up” tent in 1955.

In 1983, Moss Tents, then under the leadership of Marilyn Moss, took its expertise of curvilinear designs in lightweight fabric and frame to the Outdoor Retailer Show, "causing a stir in the industry as exhibitors recognized the advantages of a lightning-fast assemble and dismantle fabric structure solution," according to the company's history.

Moss was sold and moved from Maine to the Midwest, where it continued to adapt and expand with new ownership.

Now, with Vomela at the helm, the goal is to broaden into even more markets.

“Moss has built an exceptional reputation for crafted experiential environments,” said Mark Auth, President and CEO of The Vomela Companies, in the release. “By adding Moss to Vomela, we are bringing together two organizations whose strengths naturally align. Moss’s solutions design and structural engineering expertise perfectly complements our scale in printing, fabrication, installation, and logistics. Together, we create the most capable experiential and events company in the world, and with Moss’s established operations in the UK and Europe, we gain immediate international reach that expands what we can deliver for customers globally.”

With more than 20 production facilities and 1,600-plus employees across North America, Vomela supports global brands, major retailers and iconic events—from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the TCS New York City Marathon to nationwide fleet programs and large-scale retail décor.

"Integrating Moss’s engineering, fabrication, and global footprint enhances Vomela’s ability to serve clients wherever their brand experiences come to life," the company press release said.