Building a Legacy of Excellence
For several years, MC Group was a name well known in brand implementation for its signage, energy, and maintenance capabilities as well as reliable client service. However, its history reaches back even further to 1953 with MC Sign, established in Ashtabula, Ohio.
For 40 years, MC Sign operated as a leading signage and maintenance company serving numerous companies around the country. In 1994, the company was purchased by Tim Eippert — today the CEO of Stratus and MC Group Ventures — when he was 24 years old.
With a growth-focused mindset and strategy, Mr. Eippert spent the next 14 years expanding MC Sign’s capabilities and expanding services to more industries. In 1997, MC Sign was awarded a significant opportunity — a multi-year conversion program for US Bank. This enabled the company to continue its growth trajectory while expanding its reach. A few years later in 2002, MC Sign launched its National Sign Service Center platform — the forerunner of Stratus’ signage maintenance services.
More Than a Decade of Strategic Growth
In 2004, following years of success in growing MC Sign and expanding its service and client portfolio, Mr. Eippert was named the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year. Over the next 15 years, MC Sign would pursue a rigorous growth strategy centering on acquisitions and new service lines, beginning with a recapitalization with Sverica Capital Management in 2008 and the launch of a lighting solutions division only two years later.
In 2011, MC Sign made its first strategic acquisition in Acken Signs. Recapitalizations followed in 2015 and 2017 with Caltius Capital Management and Arcapita Group, respectively. Shortly thereafter in 2018, MC Sign acquired competitors Integra Service Group and Coastal Signage and Wayfinding.
From MC Group to Stratus
That same year, MC Sign officially rebranded to MC Group — one of the largest signage, energy, and maintenance service providers nationally. Continuing its rapid growth strategy, MC Group wasted no time in making another strategic move in 2019: merging with ICON Identity Solutions — one of its largest competitors located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
With this union came the realization that something greater had been achieved: a new age of brand implementation organization that combined the capabilities and decades-long experience of both its forerunners for the benefit of industries across the country and beyond. A year after merging with ICON, the joint organization — briefly known as MC Group | ICON — formally rebranded to Stratus. And in 2021, the Stratus family grew to include MLE, Inc. — a major brand implementation company that expanded our capabilities in large-format digital, logistics, warehousing, and installation.
Today, Stratus is delivering unmatched brand implementation solutions for some of the largest organizations nationwide, ensuring their most essential brand elements make the impact needed to deepen customer connections, increase sales, and more.
Despite this success, the growth journey continues in the form of MC Group Ventures — a business services holding company and parent to Stratus. MC Group Ventures continues this tradition of growth by making strategic investments in asset-light facility services organizations and others. Learn more about MC Group Ventures here.