alphabroder (formerly Broder Bros. Co.), Trevose, Pa., has acquired promotional apparel manufacturer and supplier Ash City Worldwide.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This transformational acquisition creates an industry leader that delivers a comprehensive selection of promotional apparel with an unmatched distribution network and customer support,” says Norman Hullinger, CEO of alphabroder.
The companies will leverage alphabroder’s existing national distribution platform and Ash City’s market-leading brands, sourcing and design capabilities, as well as its leading presence in Canada, according to the company. Ash City offers six distinct brands: Ash City, Extreme, North End, North End Sport Blue, North End Sport and Core 365.
“The addition of Ash City is our first step toward international expansion and further secures our position as the North American industry leader and innovator in the promotional apparel space,” says Dan Pantano, president of alphabroder.
Ash City is alphabroder’s second acquisition since Littlejohn & Co. led the recapitalization of Broder and assumed control of its board of directors in 2012. The company previously acquired Imprints Wholesale in late 2012.
“We were pleased to support alphabroder in its efforts to build an industry leader with international reach and superior products and services,” said David Simon, a member of alphabroder’s board of directors and a managing director at private investment firm Littlejohn & Co., the largest shareholder in alphabroder. “This strategic acquisition is another important step in alphabroder’s continued evolution over the past 18 months.”
A recently launched rebranding of the company as alphabroder commenced in January 2014 to develop a single-brand platform that embodies and conveys the core values of all of the collective companies that make up alphabroder. The company’s family of brands now includes Alpha Shirt Co., Broder, NES Clothing Co., Imprints Wholesale and Ash City.
For more information, visit alphabroder.com. — L.M.
