Broder Bros., Co. Acquires Imprints Wholesale

USA - English

• USA - English

TREVOSE, Pa., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Broder Bros., Co., the nation's largest distributor of imprintable apparel, announced today the acquisition of Imprints Wholesale. The acquisition of Imprints Wholesale represents the first by Broder since 2006 and the first since private investment firm Littlejohn & Co. assumed control of the Board of Directors in July 2012.

Based in Denver, Imprints Wholesale was founded in 1987 and is today the leading wholesale clothing distributor in the Rocky Mountain region offering blank imprintable apparel and products, including T-shirts, fleece, sport shirts, golf shirts, and related items.  The company offers its quality wholesale apparel and accessories online or from its five locations around the country.

Scott Lynes, CEO and Founder of Imprints Wholesale, will continue with the combined company.

Norman Hullinger, CEO of Broder Bros., said, "This acquisition is important to us and we are committed to the expansion of Broder Bros. to serve our growing market. We are pleased to have Scott Lynes and his Imprints team join us at Broder.  They have built a well-deserved reputation for strong customer service in the regions they serve and we plan to maintain the best of their business and integrate it across our national platform where appropriate."

"After more than 25 years in the industry, I am excited to join with Broder at this critical time.  I look forward to working with Norm and his team over the coming years to help further strengthen their leading platform," said Mr. Lynes.

Marty Matthews, CFO of Broder Bros., said, "With this acquisition, we are poised to not only achieve our previously issued guidance, but we are poised to achieve in excess of $900 million in sales and $50 million in pro forma EBITDA in 2013."

About Littlejohn & Co., LLC
Littlejohn & Co. is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based private equity and distressed securities firm focused on investing in middle-market companies that are undergoing a fundamental change in capital structure, strategy, operations or growth that can benefit from its operational and strategic approach.  The firm is currently investing from Littlejohn Fund IV, L.P., which has over $1.3 billion in capital commitments. For more information, visit www.littlejohnllc.com.

About Broder Bros., Co.
Founded in 1919, Broder Bros., Co. is the nation's largest distributor of trade, private label and retail apparel brands and merchandise to the imprinting, embroidery and promotional product industries. Broder offers more than 40 brands including a broad selection of trade brands from Gildan, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Jerzees and Bella + Canvas to an extensive assortment of retail brands including Adidas Golf, Ashworth, Champion, Russell Athletic, alternative and Dickies.  Broder also offers industry-leading private label brands including Devon & Jones, Chestnut Hill, and Harriton.

SOURCE Broder Bros., Co.