CHICAGO, IL – October 22, 2025 – For more than six decades, The Screen Works® has quietly built the projection screens behind some of the AV industry’s most memorable moments. Now, the company is writing a new chapter — under new ownership and with a renewed sense of purpose.
Earlier this year, longtime consultant and entrepreneur Andrew Schmahl acquired The Screen Works®, the Chicago-based manufacturer known for its E-Z Fold®, truss and lace & grommet projection systems. Schmahl brings a blend of strategic vision and hands-on enthusiasm — along with a determination to restore the brand’s visibility in a digital-dominated age.
“The Screen Works has been part of the fabric of live events for generations,” said Schmahl. “What drew me to it wasn’t just the products, but the people — the craftsmanship, the reliability, and the pride in making something that lasts. My goal is to carry that forward while positioning projection screens where they belong: at the intersection of creative freedom and practical affordability.”
The company’s first steps include a complete rebrand, a redesigned website (www.thescreenworks.com), and the launch of a Replacement Surfaces Program — allowing customers to more quickly and easily replace worn or damaged surfaces on existing frames (including Da-Lite, Draper, and AV Stumpfl) with new materials at lower cost.
Building on its heritage of durable, portable systems, The Screen Works® is also investing in next-generation design, including borderless, edge-to-edge screen formats and custom curved aluminum frames engineered for large-format and architectural environments. These innovations bring a modern visual aesthetic and design flexibility once reserved for LED displays — at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
With renewed energy and a clear vision for the future, The Screen Works® is once again projecting imagination into reality — one screen, one story, and one relationship at a time. What began more than sixty years ago as a family-run workshop is being reimagined for the modern era: a company rooted in craftsmanship, powered by innovation, and devoted to helping customers see their ideas come to life in light and motion.
