Simon Perutz, founder of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group (PPAI 428128 S7), has died. He was 64.
A statement from the company reveals that he died suddenly on April 19 while in England with his wife, Kim.
Remembered as a loving family man and a titan in the exhibit industry, Perutz lived a life of accomplishments before his sudden passing. Simon’s father, Gerald Perutz, founded Nimlok Limited in 1970 with Neil Nimmo, the inventor of the Nimlok lock and clip, an innovation for exhibition displays.
As the business grew, and Gerald relocated his family from the United Kingdom to the United States in 1977, a young Simon joined Nimmo and his father in establishing Nimlok in the U.S. in 1981. Simon would lead Nimlok’s product development, sales and marketing efforts, helping form Nimlok into a greater international presence in countries such as Canada, Italy and Australia.
Twenty years after helping bring Nimlok to the United States, Simon would establish Orbus Exhibit & Display Group in the U.S. in 2001. He led the Nimlok business in the U.S. until 2010, when Nimlok merged with Orbus.
Simon and his brothers, Tim and Gerald, established 15 exhibit and display-focused companies around the world and formed the P3 Group – representing the three Perutz brothers.
“Words cannot express what a truly incredible person Simon was,” says Gary Keefer, CEO of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group. “We are deeply saddened, yet extremely thankful to have had such a wonderful founder, mentor and caring leader. Simon will be profoundly missed and honored.”
He is survived by Kim; his sons Andrew and Matthew; daughters Kate, Tessa and Lucy; granddaughter Daisy; and his siblings Tim and Sandie.
