From Minneapolis to Stockholm: How Forte is scaling its collaboration business in Europe

How does Forte’s acquisition of Informationsteknik expand its presence in Europe’s audiovisual and collaboration technology markets?

Forte, the Minneapolis-based communication and collaboration technology provider formerly known as AVI Systems, has deepened its international expansion strategy with the acquisition of Informationsteknik Scandinavia AB. The Swedish company, which has operated in Sweden and Denmark since 1989, brings seven locations and more than 120 employees into Forte’s network. The move marks a pivotal step in Forte’s European footprint, giving the American audiovisual integration company stronger access to the Nordic region’s high-value corporate, education, and event solutions markets.

The transaction also underscores a broader industry trend: the consolidation of audiovisual and unified collaboration players into multinational delivery platforms capable of supporting global enterprises. For Forte, the acquisition signals a clear ambition to become a transatlantic partner for workplace technology transformation, leveraging both local trust and global scalability.

Why are Sweden and Denmark seen as strategic hubs for workplace technology and audiovisual expansion in Europe?

Analysts note that Sweden’s strong economy, skilled workforce, and reputation for design-centric innovation make it an attractive gateway for U.S. technology providers entering Northern and Baltic Europe. Denmark, meanwhile, offers proximity to continental hubs while maintaining its own vibrant events and corporate conferencing sector.

For Forte, the addition of Informationsteknik provides not just local delivery capability but also credibility in markets where trust and long-standing relationships matter. The Swedish and Danish operations will function as regional business units of GPA, the Global Presence Alliance, which serves as a delivery backbone for multinational technology rollouts. By aligning with GPA and integrating Informationsteknik, Forte can assure multinational clients of consistent standards across borders while preserving local service quality.

How does the Informationsteknik acquisition align with Forte’s mission to deliver modern audiovisual and unified collaboration solutions?

Jeff Stoebner, chairman and chief executive officer of Forte, explained that Informationsteknik’s long track record of customer service and technical expertise made it a natural partner. He emphasized that the Scandinavian integration company’s culture of high standards mirrors Forte’s mission to deliver future-ready communication and collaboration solutions.

Informationsteknik has developed a reputation for delivering seamless event management and audiovisual installations across corporate boardrooms, universities, and large-scale events. Its ability to manage high-profile conferences and live productions complements Forte’s broader portfolio, which spans workplace transformation, cloud-enabled collaboration systems, and AI-driven conferencing tools.

From an institutional perspective, the deal positions Forte to compete more aggressively with European incumbents such as Kinly and Electrosonic, both of which have built strong footholds in the enterprise collaboration and events markets. The addition of Informationsteknik strengthens Forte’s differentiation as a player that combines local brand equity with U.S.-backed global delivery infrastructure.

What will change for customers in Sweden and Denmark as Informationsteknik integrates into Forte’s global platform?

According to Forte’s integration plan, the audiovisual integration business in Sweden and Denmark will be rebranded directly under the Forte name. However, the events businesses in both countries will retain their established brands — Informationsteknik in Sweden and Get Visual in Denmark — to preserve market recognition in the high-stakes events industry.

This dual-brand strategy reflects an understanding of how corporate clients choose partners for sensitive live events. By maintaining legacy names for event services, Forte safeguards the trust earned over decades while still aligning integration and workplace transformation projects under a unified brand. For customers, this means expanded service portfolios without disruption to existing relationships.

Patrik Camp, who will assume the role of Forte’s chief executive in Sweden, emphasized that joining the U.S. group opens new opportunities to scale solutions, strengthen capabilities, and deliver greater value. His comments highlight how local leadership will remain central to customer engagement while benefiting from Forte’s investment in infrastructure and people.

How are institutional investors and industry analysts interpreting Forte’s move into the Nordic audiovisual market?

Institutional observers interpret Forte’s expansion as part of a broader wave of international growth by workplace technology integrators. The demand for scalable audiovisual and unified communication systems has accelerated following the pandemic, as hybrid work models pushed enterprises to upgrade collaboration infrastructure across global offices.

By anchoring in Sweden and Denmark, Forte demonstrates its commitment to serving both multinational corporations and regional clients who require high-quality collaboration environments. Analysts view the Nordic foothold as a strategic hedge against overreliance on U.S. markets, while also enhancing Forte’s visibility among European government agencies and educational institutions that often prioritize local presence when awarding contracts.

Investor sentiment toward audiovisual consolidation remains positive, with expectations that acquisitions like this will unlock cross-border synergies, procurement efficiencies, and standardized service delivery. While Forte is privately held, industry stakeholders suggest that the company’s growing international presence strengthens its positioning should it pursue additional financing or partnerships in the future.

What does the acquisition reveal about the evolving competitive landscape for workplace collaboration and event technology?

The workplace technology industry is shifting rapidly as enterprises demand end-to-end solutions that integrate hardware, cloud software, security, and artificial intelligence. Forte’s acquisition of Informationsteknik reflects the move toward global platforms that can address these demands while providing localized service.

Event technology remains another critical growth pillar. High-profile conferences, shareholder meetings, and multinational summits increasingly require hybrid setups with reliable audiovisual backbones. By retaining Informationsteknik and Get Visual brands in this vertical, Forte secures continuity in a market where reputation and execution precision are paramount.

From a competitive standpoint, Forte is expanding into the same arenas where firms like Kinly, Barco, and diversified IT integrators are fighting for relevance. Its differentiation lies in blending U.S. scale with European intimacy, a balance many global technology rollouts struggle to achieve.

How could Forte’s long-term strategy benefit from integrating AI-driven solutions into workplace and event environments?

Forte has positioned itself as more than an audiovisual integrator, highlighting its investments in emerging solutions such as artificial intelligence for meeting management and device orchestration. By entering Sweden and Denmark, the American workplace solutions provider gains a testbed in two markets known for rapid technology adoption and high digital literacy.

Future opportunities lie in offering AI-powered workplace analytics, automated collaboration workflows, and integrated hybrid event platforms. Analysts argue that as global enterprises demand measurable ROI from collaboration investments, integrators capable of combining audiovisual delivery with AI-driven insights will capture a disproportionate share of enterprise budgets.

This acquisition thus positions Forte not just as a regional player but as a global challenger shaping the future of unified communication technology.

What are the key takeaways from Forte’s acquisition of Informationsteknik in Sweden and Denmark for the global collaboration industry?

The acquisition underscores how consolidation is accelerating in the global collaboration industry, with Forte strategically choosing the Nordic region as its next anchor point. Sweden and Denmark provide not only strong local talent pools but also credibility with multinational clients who expect high-quality execution in their European offices.

By blending global delivery capabilities with local expertise, Forte is enhancing its reputation as a partner capable of supporting workplace transformation at scale. Institutional sentiment suggests that the move strengthens the company’s resilience, widens its market opportunity, and positions it for further international expansion.

The road ahead will likely see Forte continue to invest in people, infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions that modernize workplaces and event experiences. For enterprises navigating the complexities of hybrid work, that makes Forte an increasingly relevant player in a market where local trust and global reach must go hand in hand.