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Founder of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group Has Died

A revered leader in the exhibit industry, Simon Perutz passed away suddenly at age 64, the company said.

Simon Perutz packed a lot of living into his nearly 65 years.

Publicly, the serially successful entrepreneur was revered for being the founder/co-founder of more than a dozen exhibit and display businesses, including supplier Orbus Exhibit & Display Group (asi/75209).

But perhaps it was the private titles that meant the most to him: Loving father and grandfather; devoted and loyal brother, son and friend; kind and patient mentor.

Simon Perutz

Simon Perutz, Orbus Exhibit & Display

It’s how those close to Perutz will remember him following his sudden and unexpected passing while on a trip to England with his wife Kim. He died on April 19th at age 64.

“Words cannot express what a truly incredible person Simon was,” said 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.”

Entrepreneurship was in Perutz’s blood.

In 1970, his father Gerald Perutz, along with Neil Nimmo, founded Nimlok Limited in the United Kingdom. The company specialized in trade show services, displays and exhibits.

With the business growing rapidly, Gerald relocated his family to the United States in 1977. Four years later, Simon helped his father and Nimmo establish Nimlok in the U.S. From there, Simon Perutz’s exceptional skills propelled his career – and companies he led – to global success.

“Simon led Nimlok’s product development, sales, and marketing efforts with wild success,” Orbus detailed in a commentary on Perutz’s life. “He formed relationships with business leaders across the nation and the globe, which led to the creation of a network of Nimlok Dealerships in the U.S., the establishment of Nimlok Canada in 1985, as well as Nimlok Italy and Nimlok Australia, among others.”

In 2001, Simon established Orbus Exhibit & Display Group in the United States. Orbus is now a market leader in the U.S. and Canada when it comes to the manufacture and production of portable, modular, and custom displays used in events, exhibits, retail and corporate interiors.

Perutz continued to lead the Nimlok business in the U.S. until 2010, when Nimlok merged with Orbus. Along with his father and brother Tim, Simon Perutz established 15 exhibit and display-focused companies worldwide and formed the P3 Group (commemorating the three Perutz’s – Gerald, Simon, and Tim).

“Simon was a remarkable man of inspiration, intelligence, wit, energy, tenacity and generosity,” Orbus said in a statement. “He was an entrepreneur, mentor, associate and friend to many. Simon was a titan in the exhibit industry and leaves a legacy of relationship-building, innovation, hard work, and enormous success.”

Perutz is survived by his wife Kim; sons Andrew and Matthew; daughters Kate, Tessa, and Lucy; granddaughter Daisy, and siblings Tim and Sandie.