What began as a small print shop is now a burgeoning artwork manufacturing conglomerate, with room to grow following multiple acquisitions and a $11.5 million expansion.<\/p>\n
Largo-based Wendover Art Group celebrated a 69,000-square-foot addition to its 130,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 12. The company, which boasts over 300 employees, is a leading domestic manufacturer of high-quality artwork, mirrors, lighting, textiles and decor often found in hotels.<\/p>\n
Wendover received $2.95 million from Pinellas County\u2019s Employment Sites Program (ESP) to complete the project. CEO Richard Forsyth said the impact on operations at 6465 126th Ave. N. is \u201ceven hard to quantify.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a wonderful program where the local community really gets behind you \u2014 puts their money where their mouth is, in terms of wanting to help local companies and manufacturers grow to be as meaningful and as significant as they can be,\u201d Forsyth said.<\/p>\n
The project provided enhanced dock access, rear-loading manufacturing space, a showroom and a new stormwater system. Perhaps most importantly, Wendover now has room to create new high-paying jobs and grow its luxury portfolio.<\/p>\n
Forsyth acquired Lowcountry Originals, a South Carolina-based manufacturer of hand-forged lighting, bed swings, mirrors and sculptures, in 2022. Wendover put two more artisanal brands under its umbrella the following year.<\/p>\n
Kevin O\u2019Brien Studio, a textile maker renowned for hand-dyed velvet pillows and bedding, subsequently relocated from Philadelphia to Largo. Miami-based Friedman Brothers, a 120-year-old decorative mirror and furniture accessory manufacturer, also made the move.<\/p>\n
Forsyth noted that Friedman Brothers still handcrafts products using Renaissance-era techniques and has mirrors hanging in the Vatican, Buckingham Palace, \u201ceven the Office of the President.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always hear about those things going away or going offshore,\u201d he added. \u201cWe\u2019re bringing it here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Forsyth pledged that Wendover will give those businesses \u201cthe attention, the talent and the capital to scale and grow much bigger than they ever have been before.\u201d He believes the recent growth, expansion and surrounding area will foster additional acquisitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do believe this is maybe the best place in the country to have a manufacturing facility, and just to work in general,\u201d Forsyth said. \u201cPinellas County and the whole Tampa Bay region have become such a recruitment tool, because there\u2019s so much to offer in this great place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wendover boasts a library of over 30,000 exclusive images and the technology to create customizable high-end art, decor, and interior signage. The company, founded in 2005, has showrooms in New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas and High Point, North Carolina.<\/p>\n
However, Forsyth repeatedly praised Wendover\u2019s headquarters throughout the ceremony. \u201cThis is an absolute playground for people to come and enjoy every part of their life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
County Commissioner Kathleen Peters returned the compliments. Wendover has stimulated the local economy by growing exponentially, creating \u201cincredible\u201d products and supporting its employees, she said.<\/p>\n
The company bills itself as a \u201cmeritocracy of talented people\u201d devoted to winning \u201cas a team.\u201d Peters called it \u201cone big family,\u201d and Forsyth said there are \u201cwell over 70 or 80\u201d familial relationships \u201con the shop floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a small investment,\u201d Peters said. \u201cWhen you look at the total investment, this was a small investment that we did to ensure high-paying jobs for our residents, which only improves quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penny for Pinellas sales tax coffers fund ESP. Commissioners have dedicated $98 million to the program, which garnered international acclaim in September 2024.<\/p>\n
Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) has awarded $44.6 million through seven funding rounds to expanding or relocating companies in target industries that meet workforce development requirements. Forsyth credited the initiative for helping Wendover expand \u201cwhen many others were not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really become a great industry story,\u201d he added. \u201cAnd those acquired businesses can grow in a way that they never have before or could have even thought about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Forsyth noted that Wendover can now double its manufacturing capacity. Suzanne Christman, division director for PCED, said ESP projects have brought 1.4 million square feet of new or significantly renovated industrial and office space to the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cPinellas County has a very strong manufacturing base, and our manufacturers are growing,\u201d Christman said. \u201cSo, we need to ensure that we are providing the resources they need to stay here, grow here and continue to provide those high-quality jobs for Pinellas County citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n