Design Firm Callison Acquires Barteluce Architects & Associates … And More Industry News

MANAGEMENT CHANGES

Berkeley, Calif.-based architectural firm Avila Design named Pia-Jacqlyn Malinis as the firm's first brand manager. Her recent projects include collateral development for national and international accounts and conceptual design for marketing and promotional projects. In her new position, Malinis will lead the firm's corporate branding initiatives.

Lighting systems manufacturer Feelux (Duluth, Ga.) appointed Wendy Kaplan to eastern region manager, based out of the company’s New York office.

Printer manufacturer OKI Data Americas (Mount Laurel, N.J.) promoted Tod Ratcliffe to director of graphic arts and production.

Retail design and custom manufacturing firm SPC Retail Display Group (Chino, Calif.) hired Emerson Teixeira as its new director of design.

STORE OPENINGS

Baskin-Robbins, owned by Dunkin Brands Inc. (Canton, Mass.), reached a store development agreement to open two shops in the Eastlake and Chula Vista areas of San Diego. The first location is expected to open by April 2012, with a second shop to open in 2013. The brand is still seeking franchisees to develop shops in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc. (Plano, Texas) opened its 200th Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Abilene, Texas. In 2011, the chain grew from 137 to 200 locations.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Global architecture and design firm Callison (Seattle) has acquired New York-based Barteluce Architects & Associates. The move expands Callison’s luxury retail client base and strengthens its delivery capabilities. Callison’s New York team has now grown to about 75 architects.

Display and retail design firm The Royal Promotion Group (New York) changed its name to RPG.

Flooring manufacturer Amtico Intl. (Atlanta) launched a redeveloped website at www.amtico.com. The new site includes a room visualizer tool, technical specifications, warranties, LEED contributions listed by product and a password-protected sample studio. New features also include direct access to real-time order information, credit account data and customizable reports.

KDM P.O.P. Solutions Group (Cincinnati) acquired Norcross, Ga.-based American Digital Communications (ADC). ADC specializes in providing digital printing, finishing, kit-packing and customized p-o-p materials to retail industry segments.

Turnkey retail and restaurant solutions firm Davaco Inc. (Dallas) has broadened its operations to include sustainability and resource reduction solutions to help retail and restaurant chains optimize their operational performance. The new service offering comes as a result of the acquisition of Austin, Texas-based retail sustainability consulting firm Ecoxera.