Apr 5, 2021   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Record Year and CEO Change: Spread Group Continues to Grow

The 2020 financial year was a record year for Europe's leading print-on-demand provider. Spread Group continued its profitable growth course in the year of its coming of age - it was founded 18 years ago under the name Spreadshirt. The figures for 2020 show revenues of $195 million, representing growth of 33 percent on the previous year. A total of 9.8 million products were printed and shipped to customers in over 170 countries. With these annual results, outgoing CEO Philip Rooke hands over the baton to Dr. Julian de Grahl, who takes over management of the group.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005070/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

(Graphic: Business Wire)

"Nobody would have thought it possible to end the year with record sales and profits in the spring of 2020, when the corona virus pandemic overshadowed everything. Thanks to our great team and flexibility as an organization, we were able to adapt our business to the new circumstances. We introduced new products in a very short time and adapted our offer to the target groups and their demand. As a result, we were able to benefit greatly from last year's e-commerce boom. We close 2020 as probably the healthiest company in our industry," summarises Philip Rooke, previous CEO of Spread Group.

Growth drivers: individual orders, stickers and YouTube integration
The drivers of success were individual and gift orders at Spreadshirt Marketplaces, Spreadshop and SPOD. Spreadshirt Marketplaces alone achieved year-on-year revenue growth of over 65 percent. In addition to numerous licensed designs, such as "Harry Potter" designs relating to current social and political events, such as "Black Lives Matter," were high in demand on the marketplaces. In addition, there was a sales boom in stickers after their platform-wide launch in the second half of the year.

In the Spreadshop division, the shops of social media influencers and activists such as "Reclaim your Power" or "1 Billion Rising" were particularly popular. Another driver has been Spreadshop's integration with YouTube, which was concluded at the end of the year. It sets new standards in merchandising sales. Through Spreadshop's integration with YouTube, creators can design their fan merchandise on the industry's largest assortment (130+ products) and offer it directly under their videos and in their YouTube store tab.

Change at the top of the company
Philip Rooke had already announced last year that he wanted to take on new professional challenges after a good ten years at the helm of Spread Group. His successor was already announced in December.

Dr. Julian de Grahl brings with him almost 20 years of experience in the internet industry and listed companies. He has been Managing Director at CTS EVENTIM since 2012, and was previously Managing Director at amiando (now XING Events) and Vice President Vertical Business at XING AG (now New Work SE). Dr. Julian de Grahl studied law and economics (business administration) in Hamburg and Cape Town and earned his doctorate at the University of Hamburg.

"Under Philip Rooke's leadership, Spread Group has developed from a start-up to a highly profitable industry leader. I have great respect for this achievement. I am very excited to continue this growth trajectory together with a sensational team and to set new stimuli," says the new Spread Group CEO Dr. Julian de Grahl.

Material for Download (Copyright: Spread Group)
- Spread Group 2020 in numbers (jpg)
- Photo Philip Rooke (jpg)
- Photo Dr. Julian de Grahl (jpg)

Related Links
- Spread Group Website
- Spread Group Newsroom

About Spread Group
Spread Group is a collection of five digital brands that empower self-expression. Our brands enable individuals and businesses to express themselves with print-on-demand products they can use, wear and carry.

The core of our business model is based on the idea that we only print what the customer wants when they want it. Consumers and businesses can customize clothing and accessories with Spreadshirt Create Your Own. Spreadshirt Marketplaces connects our global designer community with customers on Spreadshirt domains and External Marketplaces like Amazon and ebay. Entrepreneurs can sell merch via their own free online Spreadshop. Groups can get their matching kit at TeamShirts. Finally, SPOD gives merchants using external shop systems access to our network of fulfillment facilities.

Founded in 2020, today the Spread Group is the market leader in the print-on-demand sector in Europe and the USA. Spread Group’ brands connect with customers, businesses, designers and sellers in over 170 countries via 18 domains in 12 languages. Powered by five production facilities across the United States and Europe, we deliver on-demand printing solutions at market-leading speeds with sustainable practices.

In 2020, we hit global revenue of $195 million, printed more than 9.8 million items and employed 1000 people from 40 countries.

www.spreadgroup.com
www.spreadshirt.com
www.spreadshop.com
www.teamshirts.com
www.spod.com