SOS is a part of The Marmon Group, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.
The SOS vision remains focused on executing and managing all store projects, giving the retailer one point of contact. Today, SOS has the capability of addressing any requirement in a seamless fashion, bringing simplicity to any retail project.
Store Opening Solutions LLC (SOS) was founded in July 1995 as a subsidiary of Famous Fixtures, a store fixture manufacturer and a subsidiary of Famous Footwear. SOS management analyzed the supply chain process and recognized that significant savings could be achieved by consolidating the delivery of store fixtures and graphics, as well as the provision of a wide array of services to retailers as part of an integrated project solution. SOS continued to refine this concept as they established experienced management teams and obtained a centrally located distribution center.
In January 1998, SOS was acquired by The Marmon Group, making it a member of the Marmon Retail Services Sector. Since that time, significant investments have been made in staff, infrastructure, facilities, and system capabilities.
In 2005, The Marmon Group purchased Alexander-Otto (AO), a company that had previously been a strategic partner of SOS. For the past 10 years, AO provided fixture and millwork installation and construction management services to the retail market. In 2007, AO was absorbed into SOS. Construction and installation crews were based nationwide and dispatched in company trucks complete with all the necessary tools and equipment. SOS also provided an experienced project management team to work with the retailer's internal resource teams to extend field capabilities. Teams utilized SOS' project and warehouse management applications giving a window into each project by providing daily progress and issue reports in real time.
In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway purchased 60% of The Marmon Group with a commitment to purchase the remaining 40% by 2013.
In 2009, SOS decided to form separate divisions – Store Support and Store Services. The Store Support Division remains as part of The Marmon Group, and is known today as Store Opening Solutions LLC. This division manages all activities and processes prior to and upon reaching the store location. The Store Services Division was purchased by independent investors, including Division Management, and is known today as Store Opening Solutions Retail Services LLC. This division manages all activities that are performed at the store location including installation. Both companies continue to work as partners to provide retailers with the best service offerings available.