United Visual, founded in 1949, is a full-service audio/visual, video and computer display dealer primarily serving business and educational customers. A privately held corporation, headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, we are known for our close, personal relationships with our customers.

Equipment sales are just a part of the United Visual story. Our a/v systems division has won several national awards, including the grand prize for conference rooms in the Best Presentation Rooms 2000 competition. We have a thriving rental division known for high-impact staging of projection, lighting and sound. Our service department is factory authorized for nearly everything we sell and key to the high satisfaction our customers express.

History
United Visual was founded in 1949 as United Visual Aids Service, a partnership between the Carlson and Stribolt families. The business was designated as the Midwest service center for Kalart Victor, a major manufacturer of 16mm projectors at the time. The small 650 sq. ft. storefront on Addison Street in Chicago, pictured here, was not only a place of business, but also home to the Carlson family, including their first three children.

As the company grew, it expanded and overtook the storefront next door, doubling its size. By the time it incorporated in 1961, United Visual was a major supplier of audio/visual equipment and service to a large educational base of customers in the Chicago area.

Current industry leaders including Eastman Kodak, Sony, Bell & Howell, Dukane, Standard, Newcomb and Da-Lite had selected United Visual to be their authorized dealer and service center for the Chicago market. In some cases these firms selected United Visual as the exclusive reseller of their products in the area.

Growth continued during the 60's and 70's and by 1976 United completed construction on a new building in Bensenville, Illinois, near O'Hare airport. The new facility was nearly four times as large as the original storefronts in Chicago. United continued its expansion, entering into the rental industry serving the numerous hotels around O'Hare and providing in-house rentals at two resorts.

With the introduction of VHS video recorders, affordable color camera technology and most recently LCD projector technology, United Visual has continued to grow. Customer support, however, remains the primary focus of the company. A major expansion in 1996 moved our headquarters to Spring Lake Business Park in Itasca, Illinois, pictured at the top of this page.

Certification and Participation with the ICIA
United Visual is proud to have achieved the International Communications Industries Association's (ICIA) Certified AudioVisual Solutions Provider (CAVSP) company certification. The premier trade association for the professional AV communications industry, the ICIA grants CAVSP status to ICIA Member companies whose technical, sales and customer service staff have obtained individual Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) certifications along with advanced certifications in systems design and system installation.

United Visual is committed to the investment in the ongoing education of our staff and our customers share in the dividends of expert solutions and unrivaled customer service when they trust in United Visual.

As an ICIA AVolved organization United Visual is dedicated to the AVolution Standards of Excellence, which includes the commitment to providing complete customer satisfaction with all United Visual AudioVisual Solutions.

Sales and support
United Visual is an authorized dealer for over 75 leading equipment manufacturers, including Sharp, Sony, Epson, Panasonic, AMX, Crestron, Pioneer, 3M, Bretford, Mitsubishi, Philips, Tandberg Draper, Da-Lite, Elmo, Electro-Voice, Luxor, Dukane, Eiki, Magnavox, Shure, TOA, Extron, Zenith, Stewart , Van San, Bose, Califone, Telex, JBL, Winsted, Anchor Audio, Hitachi, Eastman Kodak, Atlas/Soundolier, and many others.

Our sales specialists are very experienced and can help you choose the ideal system for your particular need, whether you are looking for a single LCD projector or DVD player to a full turnkey integrated audiovisual system with full warranty and maintenance agreement.

Our customers include Fortune 1000 firms, school districts and universities and a large number of small and medium sized businesses.

Systems design
United’s service goes far beyond single-item sales. We can design and build a complete, permanently-installed a/v system for your conference room, boardroom, classroom or training center. Our systems are known for their reliability and ease of use, and we have a reputation for the quality of our repair and support service.

In 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002, United systems were chosen among the best in the nation in competitions sponsored by Presentations and Training magazines. We’re the only systems integrator in the Illinois/Wisconsin/ Indiana area so honored in all of these years.

Repair service
At United Visual, we service everything we sell. We are an authorized service center for most major lines of audio/visual, video and computer projection equipment. Our service department is staffed by experienced, factory trained technicians. We are known for our one-day evaluation of LCD projectors, for our extensive summer preventative maintenance program for area schools, and for our uniquely affordable service contracts.

Rentals
United Visual is well-known as a rental supplier, serving over 35 hotels in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, plus hundreds of businesses and schools across the country. We offer a complete selection of audio, video and computer projection equipment at competitive daily and weekly rates.

Ask our customers
The best way to judge a long-term supplier is to talk to its customers. If you have any question about United, we’ll be glad to send references–but we're confident you'll like what you hear when just asking your colleagues. Those that have used us will tell you: United Visual is a firm worth doing business with.