After a couple of exciting years at Apple, she accepted a position at InFoWorld Magazine, where she was able to utilize her creative talents in advertising, first in graphic layout and later as Print Production Manager.

The second phase of Ms. Dejan’s career led to her to Second City, where she entered the world of retail visual merchandising at the headquarters of legendary retailer, Marshall Field’s. Karin played an integral support role at Marshall Field’s, helping to manage the Shops Program as well as Store Renovations.

From there, she made her way briefly back to San Francisco but soon found herself bound for Chicago, where her career really soared as an inside sales team member for Met Merchandising. Her accounts included high profile clients such as Nike, Esprit, Dayton Hudson and May Co.  During that time, Karin also implemented one of the first programs for vendor shops, for Levi Strauss & Co.  Her involvement in the Slates by LS&Co. vendor shop program spanned from the initial design to the final prototype, shop layout and space planning, manufacturing, logistics, and installation.

As the new millennium approached, Ms. Dejan formed her own company, Dejan Quest, Ltd, where she continued to serve and build loyal clients such Levi Strauss & Co., Espirit, XOXO, and Saks.

Always looking for the exciting challenge, Karin joined Cormark, Inc. in 2004, where she specialized in selling custom store fixtures, POP displays, interactive fixtures, and kiosks. Just a year later, she was chosen to open the company’s Pacific Northwest office in Portland, OR to service a prestigious client list comprised of Nike, Nintendo, Fred Meyer, and Ping Golf.

The ensuing years brought continued professional success with such firms as 2 Hemispheres – client KEEN Footwear and Twenty-Four-Seven, Inc. – client Michael Kors, before Karin was presented with another exciting career advancement at Premier Store Fixtures.  “I joined Premier Store Fixtures in early 2012 because I could see that this company has a real dedication to the idea that ‘the customer comes first’,” says Karin. “Premier’s history of integrity and reputation for service excellence are well known in the industry, and this is a vitally important ingredient in building lasting partner relationships.”

“Equally important,” she continues, “is Premier’s strong commitment to growth.  My colleagues here exemplify the professional passion and commitment I know is fundamentally important in delivering the quality of products and service I can be proud to provide my current and prospective clients.”

Capable of powering the entire operation in case of weather- or facility-related outages, this advanced self-monitoring system ensures Premier’s many customers that the manufacturing will keep running smoothly, project deadlines will be met, and deliveries made on time even in the worst conditions. The generator was installed to virtually eliminate any disturbance of the production process.

So now customers can enjoy an even greater sense of security in the power of Premier. Whatever they need, whenever they need it, Premier Store Fixtures will be generating the quality and service to keep their bottom lines in great shape.

So when their “G” by Guess division — which specializes in apparel and accessories for young men and women in the 14-24 year-old market, including shoes, hats, pocketbooks, jewelry, watches, and a wide range of outerwear to complement the parent company’s well-known jeans — put out an RFP for assistance in the continuing expansion of new retail locations, Premier Store Fixtures eagerly submitted a bid. When Premier was awarded the contract, the excitement was shared company-wide.

“We were thrilled to have been chosen,” states Glen Cacioppo, EVP of Sales and Marketing for Premier Store Fixtures. “Over the last five years, we’ve done some small projects with Guess, but this is a much larger endeavor…an open-ended agreement in which we’ll take part in setting up as many stores as possible over the next two years. Each location will be approximately 5,200-square feet in size, and the Premier team will be involved in creating each entire store. The only thing we won’t be doing is producing the mannequins, although we certainly could.”

As with every Premier Store Fixture client, a project manager, heading a dedicated team, was designated to serve virtually every need “G” by Guess could have. From project management and warehousing through engineering, logistical support, and design assistance, these highly-skilled professionals ensure the client’s vision is brought to life with equal attention to consumer demand and proven marketing principles.

While “G” by Guess provided the original design for their stores, it was Premier Store Fixtures that delivered the engineering drawings, as well as numerous suggestions for enhancing their designs. Now five months into the two-year contract, Premier is hard at work producing interior perimeter walls, as well as cash-wrap and back-wrap areas (where customers check out and the cabinetry behind check-out). Additionally, their team is creating all the necessary “loose” fixtures, meaning tables, watchcases, divider and denim walls, fitting room doors and requisite hardware, and the hanging ceiling drive isles.

“To create the ideal retail environment for “G” by Guess, we’ll be utilizing fixtures made from several different materials, including wood, metal, glass, and acrylic,” notes Tony Tellez, Director of Business Development for Premier Store Fixtures. “With our vast industry experience, Premier has unsurpassed expertise in making all these diverse elements work together beautifully to help our client realize maximum sales efficiency in every store.”

The wood being utilized in these locations is produced domestically in Premier’s Richmond, VA plant, while the metal and numerous accessories are imported. According to Tellez, this millwork is quite intricate, approaching architectural-grade, with extremely tight curves. It takes a high level of sophistication to create millwork capable of integrating virtually seamlessly with other quality materials.

“At this stage we have already completed (8) stores with many more to come,” Tellez says. “All of us at Premier Store Fixtures are very happy to have been chosen for this project, and we’d like nothing more than to continue in this partnership with “G” by Guess and the Guess family of companies.”

Upon his graduation, he decided to further his studies, seeking out the renowned Gordon Gilkey, who just happened to be teaching at Pacific Northwest College of Art, which coincidentally is located in Portland, OR. Two years of art and design led to the completion of his thesis, and the landing of a full-time position as Digital General Manager at Big Graphics. Roughly 730 days later, he moved to Infinity Images. Now, after nearly a dozen years there as an art director, designer, production manager, senior project manager, and director of business development, that preparation which began in Houston has reached fruition with Eric joining Premier Store Fixtures as its Director of Business Development.

“I’m very happy to be here and add my experience to the Premier creative team,” he says. “There’s tremendous talent here, and a number of people I’ve worked with in the past, so when this position became available, I couldn’t turn it down. To be part of such an amazing group is extremely exciting.”

There were other factors that made joining the Premier team attractive to Eric, as well. “I’m a process-oriented person,” he notes; “I like working ‘hands-on’ with brands, being part of the process. Working at an agency wouldn’t allow me to be involved with the broad assortment of brands available, helping them achieve goals from concept through completion. I’ve spent many years on projects involving POP, fixturing, apparel and signs for retail/graphic communications, and permanent display environments, so I’m really looking forward to what I’ll be doing as part of the Premier team.”

Another major reason Eric was eager to bring his talent and experience to Premier was a shared dedication to “sustainability”.  A long-time advocate of sustainable philosophies, this is a way of thinking that Eric was on the forefront of increasing awareness and utilization of, not only in Oregon but all along the West Coast. In fact, he spearheaded an industry committee on behalf of his former employer that led to them becoming the first third-party certified company in Portland. As a result of his and others’ efforts, these philosophies are now a mandate for every company on the industry’s supply side. He also sits on the advisory committee of the world renown, “The Natural Step Network”, a non-profit organization started in the 80′s to help transform business and community awareness and practices.

“A sustainable philosophy is one where we realize that every decision we make has an effect on both our workplace and external environment,” he explains. “It forces us to develop solutions that not only protect these environments, but make good sense for the company’s bottom line, as well. In this way, when we make decisions about issues like standardization and work flow, we’re careful about how money is spent, and make sure we also account for the long-term effects of what we’re doing.

“Premier Store Fixtures enjoys a reputation for employing sustainable philosophies to deliver creative excellence and unsurpassed reliability,” Balderas continues. “This, along with their dedication to working closely with retailers and brands to create innovative, highly-functional retail environments that dazzle the senses and move merchandise, make them a company with a proud past and an exciting future. Which makes me very excited to be their new Director of Business Development.”

It didn’t take long for the company to realize it needed to draw more attention to this segment of its business. So those in charge contacted the people they felt could make this happen…Premier Store Fixtures.“They had a concept in mind, and contacted us with the project,” states Premier Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Glen Cacioppo. “So we sat down with them, then drew up a plan and produced it. We knew the ‘Reserve’ section was in a less-than-prominent corner of each store, and set out to design a wall fixture that would make people stand up and take notice.”

The first store for the new look was the Starbucks on West Broadway in New York City. According to Cacioppo, the challenge was “to create a display that matched the richness and appeal of the Starbucks ‘Reserve’ coffees, which feature their exotic, rare, and most exquisite varieties. At the same time, because most Starbucks locations have limited space with which to build, the new fixture would be designed to work in conjunction with an existing store column. Fortunately, we’ve done many projects for Starbucks over the last five years or so, and had a good idea of what they wanted.”

The Premier Store Fixtures team quickly decided to transform an ordinary store column into an ‘attraction in and of itself’ that was both decorative and informative, using a combination of wood and steel components. “What we did was ‘wrap’ the column in steel, resulting in a unique, eye-catching display,” Cacioppo explains. “Then, to make sure the Starbucks brand logo really ‘popped’ for customers entering the store, we tinted the steel black, and created the lettering in a luxurious metallic champagne finish. The minute people see it, they get the feeling ‘something special is going on over there’, and walk over to get a better look.”

Actual customer comments and data support Cacioppo’s assessment, and feedback from the client has been very positive. “They’re very happy with the new fixture,” he says, “and feel it not only spotlights the ‘Reserve’ coffees, but adds an exotic new ‘flavor’ to the entire store.”

In other words, if Starbucks can brew it up, Premier Store Fixtures can create the display that will get their customers to drink it up.

The aforementioned “High Flow” glue system is a prime example of this, as it reduces maintenance while delivering a cleaner, smoother glue spread. Consisting of a quick-change glue reservoir and adjustable application, it provides for an even, uniform glue spread to the panels. But the Stream B-1 Edgebander’s benefits go far beyond adhesives.

Increased productivity and quality assurance is made possible by a high-speed horizontal end unit that allow for panel spacing of 300mm at a track speed of 25 meters per minute. This end unit ensures swift yet highly-accurate trimming panel after panel. Additionally, the four-motor Corner Rounding system can be utilized as a third top and bottom super finish trim station, when necessary, allowing for individual selection of each corner to be radiused. It also offers a “Fast Four” cut position system for three-bevel finishes and one radius.

Computer graphics operators appreciate the fact that the Stream B-1 Edgebander lets them store and retrieve hundreds of pre-set programs in a matter of seconds. Not to be overlooked amid all these features is the two-position Scraper that offers the ultimate chatter-free finish on thick PVC edges. To keep the edges smooth and pristine, it has flat blade scrapers which give the panel the final cut along the surface, completing the tight clean edge. Finally, innovative buffers and hot-air blowers deliver a smoother, shinier finish.

“The bottom line is the Stream B-1 gives us greater productivity, enhanced accuracy and quality assurance, and process repeatability,” says Cacioppo. “This translates into superior value, lower cost, and higher product reliability for our customers, as we can offer more choices, faster response time, and a world of exciting new possibilities.”

A graduate of Drake University, Glen comes to Premier directly from Leggett & Platt where he was VP of Business Development for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he was with the Dillmeier Group (later acquired by Leggett & Platt), and began his career in store fixtures at Capital Interiors in 1990. In his new position at Premier, Glen will report directly to Nelson Goodman, a company principal and shareholder.

“I’m very happy to be part of the Premier Store Fixtures team,” Cacioppo stated upon his arrival. “This company has creative, energetic people, and it’s exciting to join a customer-centric organization that’s in a strong growth mode. In fact, Premier’s one of the few companies in our industry to have achieved consistent sales growth year after year. I’m looking forward to helping continue that trend.”

Mr. Cacioppo’s illustrious career encompasses a diverse range of disciplines from sales and marketing to design and manufacturing. Over the last two decades, he’s collaborated on a broad range of projects with some of the top retailers in the country. “Our company’s success has always been the result of our commitment to excellence and hands-on management philosophy,” stated Goodman. “Glen Cacioppo shares these values. I’m very pleased to have someone with his knowledge and talents on our team, and look forward to the contributions his leadership and experience will bring.”

Premier Store Fixtures is headquartered in New York, and has offices in Richmond, VA and in Hong Kong.

Okay…it was not really an impossible mission. But it was anything but easy. However, the furtive minds of the professionals at Premier Store Fixtures were more than up to the challenge.

It started with the fact that the new “Nikon 1” isn’t simply another digital camera, but a breakthrough innovation with no comparable competitor. “There was a sizable amount of information this display needed to impart in a relatively small space,” states Premier Store Fixtures EVP of Sales and Marketing Glen Cacioppo. “In addition, we wanted to show the broad array of color options this new camera offered. Most importantly, we had to let people experience for themselves how much fun — and how easy — it is to operate.”

During the recent national roll-out,  Nikon’s new displays were placed in roughly 2500 Target and Best Buy stores; 1700 and 800, respectively. From a distance, consumers are first drawn to the familiar sight of popular TV and movie star Ashton Kutcher in a pose from his multi-media Nikon campaign. As they get closer, their eyes are attracted to the different-colored models, then drawn to the video screen in the center. An audio-free video ‘teases’ each person to learn more using the playful caption ‘Pick Me Up’, referring to the ‘live’ Nikon 1 directly in front of them.

“Each display is fully powered and functional, so when a customer picks up the camera, a second video launches and explains its unique characteristics,” Cacioppo states. “Additionally, consumers can explore the camera’s various digital functions, and many displays were equipped with volume controls to make it easier for customers to interact with it in loud retail environments, such as a crowded Best Buy store. To help protect our retail partners against theft, each display also has its own security system.”

Premier Store Fixtures was responsible for providing the design, engineering, project management, logistical support, and customer service for this remarkable display. The unit itself combines both domestic and imported manufactured components, and involved processes including sheet metal fabrication, powder coating, silk screening, and both digital and lithographic printing.

According to Mr. Cacioppo, initial feedback from the roll-out has been quite favorable. “We had a very positive response from the first phase of research we’ve done, which is extremely gratifying. I personally think time will swiftly prove the quality and value of the ‘Nikon 1”, and our display’s effectiveness in making that known.”

That being said, when all those other attributes are in line, the right machinery can make a huge difference in what a company can do for its customers. Such is the case with Premier’s latest acquisition…the Greco 3-D Laminating machine.

“The Greco gives us the capability to produce all types of laminated shapes on MDF (medium density fiberboard) and particleboard utilizing a state-of-the-art vacuum formed heating process,” says Glen Cacioppo, EVP of Sales and Marketing for Premier Store Fixtures. “It also makes it possible for us to utilize popular vinyl products from such manufacturers as Kydex and Omnova. With the Greco, we can now adhere the vinyl to parts and panels of practically any shape with flawless precision.”

Another reason Premier Store Fixtures chose the Greco: high-pressure laminate, better known as Formica. The Greco enables the company to operate with curved and profiled surfaces utilizing a film that’s appearance is the same as the laminate most often used in today’s store displays.

“What this new technological capability really means is Premier Store Fixtures can now deliver a broader array of services to our customers at greater cost-efficiency,” adds Cacioppo. “For example, this remarkable machine lets us provide new and exciting design possibilities. With the Greco, we can give MDF panels decorative new form, like a raised panel effect…even large pieces of wall paneling in almost any shape or configuration.

“Most importantly,” he points out, “the Greco is able to support Premier’s strict standards of quality control. We can now provide total product consistency, in terms of structural integrity, coloration, and overall appearance. In addition to opening new levels of creative opportunities, our new capabilities make it possible to respond to our client’s often evolving prototype needs even faster than before.”

And the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’? The Greco’s shuttle table design enables Premier Store Fixtures professionals to prepare for one project while fulfilling another, effectively reducing production time. As a result, production savings are passed on to the customer without the slightest sacrifice in quality and service.

“It’s a perfect fit for our corporate philosophy,” notes Cacioppo; “the more we can do for our clients, the better it is for Premier Store Fixtures, as well.”

“Premier has been providing distinctive, high-quality fixtures to Finish Line for over six years,” says company Vice President Nelson Goodman. “We enjoy a great relationship with their people, and we’re very happy they chose to entrust us with this important new project.”

Finish Line wanted a fresh, innovative design concept for their stores…one that created an attractive, contemporary environment for their customers. Their location at the Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, OH was chosen as the prototype store for their bold new approach. In conjunction with renowned design firm Kiku Obata, the Premier Store Fixtures team went to work bringing their idea to life.

So…what was their grand design? Picture the smooth, round curve of a modern baseball stadium. Majestic and captivating on the exterior, with a facade that stimulates the senses regarding what lies within, which it then satisfies in just a matter of steps for eager patrons. Both the walls and the floor fixtures are curved in the style of a professional sports arena, creating an atmosphere of excitement that gives customers the feeling something fantastic is waiting just around the bend.

In addition to design responsibilities, Premier produced the entire fixture package for the Columbus store. “We developed our own engineering/shop drawings based on Finish Line’s design intent,” states Goodman. “Then, we manufactured every single fixture for the project, and performed the on-site installation to ensure complete quality control.”

According to Goodman, the main — or core — fixture is a 24-foot-long fixture that’s curved, and serves as a focal point for the store. It was further designed to serve as a way to highlight the store’s special merchandise collections. “This remarkable design concept actually allows shoppers to occupy the central space, or the ‘field’ in sports terms,” Goodman explains. “They can view and pick out merchandise on the inside, as well as the outside of the core, adding both convenience and a fun new element to their shopping experience.”

Because of Finish Line’s diverse product offerings, this fresh marketing approach is especially beneficial. In addition to a tremendous selection of brand-name footwear, this national retail chain also features premium-quality apparel and accessories from today’s leading manufacturers including North Face, Oakley sunglasses, and Nike’s LIVESTRONG brand. This trendsetting design concept lends itself perfectly to a wide variety of exciting, eye-catching in-store merchandising possibilities.

While the final vote on its success is still out, early results show this new approach has been a big hit with customers. “Everything we’ve heard since the opening indicates the concept is a ‘home run’,” remarks Goodman. “Naturally, everyone at Premier Store Fixtures takes great pride in helping a long-time client achieve its goals. They put together a top-flight team, and turned out a real winner.”