Supplier Koozie Group (PPAI 114187, S13), previously BIC Graphic North America, a Clearwater, Florida-based portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, announced today the completion of its acquisition of IMAGEN Brands, with the support of H.I.G. IMAGEN Brands is the parent company of industry suppliers Crown Products (PPAI 113430, S10) and Vitronic (PPAI 114197, S10), and is also an exclusive promotional products supplier of Coleman, ShedRain, Chelsea Teddy Bear and Rubbermaid branded products. The news was first announced in a PPB Newslink Breaking News earlier today.
“This acquisition is part of our long-term plan for scalable and sustainable growth within the promotional products market and we appreciate that H.I.G. Capital continues to support our vision,” says David Klatt, Koozie Group CEO. “This allows us to provide the additional necessary resources and marketing support needed to help grow the IMAGEN Brands business. Our intent is to run their sales, customer service and operations as a standalone business.”
The acquisition will not disrupt day-to-day operations or impact the current product assortment for either supplier with IMAGEN Brands continuing their focus on top-selling categories of rainwear, bags, drinkware, plush and coolers. As a standalone business, the current IMAGEN Brands team will operate business as usual, utilizing their current order processing systems and producing all products out of their Doniphan, Missouri, headquarters while ensuring they continue to deliver on their 48-hour service promise. Koozie Group will continue to be committed to driving innovation, leading in social and sustainable responsibility and delivering a seamless customer experience, says a company news release.
Some members of the IMAGEN Brands management team will remain in their roles, including Lisa LeMond, vice president of sales and customer service, who will report directly to Klatt. In addition to providing more resources and marketing support, Koozie Group plans to invest in the IMAGEN Brands business to better serve its customers. All sales, service and operations teams will continue to function separately as IMAGEN Brands (including Vitronic and Crown) in the promotional products industry.
“Both Koozie Group and IMAGEN Brands have a long, rich history in the promotional space and share many of the same values centered around providing customer-first solutions across many categories, well-known brands and service offerings,” says LeMond. “This is an opportunity to learn best practices from one another and show our customers an enhanced version of IMAGEN Brands that will continue delivering on new products, decoration methods and the exceptional service they have come to expect.”
