Supplier Paramount Apparel International (PPAI 133496) has acquired Back 9 USA LLC, a golf lifestyle brand established in 1997.
“I am very excited to bring Back 9 under Paramount’s management,” says Mark Rubenstein, chairman & CEO of Bourbon, Missouri-based Paramount Apparel. “The Back 9 logo has great consumer appeal, and limitless potential at retail and online.”
Paramount Apparel owns several golf brands in addition to Back 9, including Imperial Headwear and American Dry Goods, as well as headwear licenses for brands such as Converse and manufacturing agreements with brands such as Nike.
“Paramount has been successfully manufacturing and licensing other brands for decades,” says Todd Johnson, president & COO of Paramount Apparel International. “We will continue with our current business model, but also want to focus on the brands we own and incubate new ones too.”
Paramount Appparel plans to integrate Back 9 into its operational platform, give its designers the ability to develop new product, leverage sourcing relationships and market the brand to retailers and consumers through a revamped e-commerce website.
“I’m pleased to see Back 9 continue its path at Paramount,” adds Andy Hydorn, president at Back 9 USA. “There are tremendous resources available here to fuel the brand and achieve the levels of growth we always knew were possible.”
As part of the acquisition, Hydorn is joining Paramount Apparel to oversee the Back 9 brand and manage sales representatives for American Dry Goods.
