Bourbon, Missouri–based Imperial, a leading headwear manufacturer founded in 1916 and owned by the investment firm CPC, has completed the acquisition of Pukka, Inc., based in Findlay, Ohio. The management team and operations at Pukka will remain in place.
Imperial is a long-established manufacturer of headwear for the golf market. Photo courtesy of Imperial
“Imperial is a brand rich in heritage and traditional styling with a modern twist,” says Todd Johnson, CEO of Imperial. “Pukka is a very innovative brand with an energy that speaks to an audience distinct from Imperial. We believe both brands can co-exist by running them separately and keeping their personalities true to their DNA.”
“While the ownership of Pukka will change, our core values, vision, and dedication to ‘Be Original’ will remain deeply rooted in our culture,” says Shawn Rogers, Founder and CEO of Pukka. “Imperial and its ownership group at CPC is going to be a great partner with vast resources that can help us accelerate a range of growth and operational initiatives.”
CPC describes itself as an investment holding company focused on long-term investment strategy, was formed to buy, build and hold great companies. Imperial was CPC’s first acquisition in late 2021. According to CPC, the company operates as a “permanent investment vehicle organized as a company, not a fund–a structure that enables CPC to implement the best strategies to create defensible, long-term value aligning the incentives of shareholders, management and all stakeholders in CPC’s businesses.”
Major Players in Golfing Headwear
Imperial is a consumer apparel brand founded in 1916 with design, marketing, manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Imperial sells its products into several markets, including the direct-to-consumer golf, corporate and supply chain channels. Customers include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and Solheim Cup. Imperial also has manufacturing and licensing relationships with Nike, Peter Millar, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans and Adidas, among other brands.
Pukka Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium custom headwear in the Golf, Action Sports and Team Sporting Goods markets. Per the company, Pukka stands for “original, first class, quality, which is displayed by unrivaled fit, superior materials and fashion-forward designs.” For more information, visit pukkainc.com.
