Interviews
Watership acquisition extends Imperial's purposeful headwear lines…
26 Aug '08
2 min read
Imperial Headwear Inc (Imperial) announced that it has acquired Bellingham, Washington-based Watership Trading Companie, (Watership), an innovative headwear marketer and distributor of technically advanced weather and sun protection hats. Watership founders Greg and Carol Frechette, who launched the company in 1989, will remain with the company and continue to lead the business in the areas of sales and product development, respectively.
“We are very pleased to add a company of the premium Watership caliber and reputation to the Imperial family,” said Rick White, President and CEO. “With its expertise in sun protection technology, Watership is the perfect complement to the Imperial product line. Our existing sourcing relationship with Watership made the transaction a logical fit with our concentration on the headwear business. The demand for purposeful product is driving the headwear market and we are extremely pleased to be able to leverage the most advanced sun and weather technology developed to date.”
Watership has built a top-quality brand reputation through its commitment to classic outdoor styles that optimize weather and sun protection using advanced technical performance materials. They have developed several products using certified sun blocking fabric offering UPF50+ protection which conform to National Skin Cancer Foundation recommendations. Watership is also known for its Wind Performance Hats, which maintain shape and function in winds over 30 knots and Watership Sports Hats, including comfortable and functional sailing hats, paddle sport and fishing hats designed with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.
Greg Frechette commented “We are extremely excited about the opportunity Watership now has to reach the next level in product development, service and sales. We look forward to continuing our focus on design, quality and workmanship that has made our products successful for over 19 years.”
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nestled near the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado, Imperial Headwear has built a global reputation for quality, performance and value since 1916 as the leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality, customized, active lifestyle headwear and accessories to the golf, corporate, outdoor, tennis and selected private label markets.
“We are very pleased to add a company of the premium Watership caliber and reputation to the Imperial family,” said Rick White, President and CEO. “With its expertise in sun protection technology, Watership is the perfect complement to the Imperial product line. Our existing sourcing relationship with Watership made the transaction a logical fit with our concentration on the headwear business. The demand for purposeful product is driving the headwear market and we are extremely pleased to be able to leverage the most advanced sun and weather technology developed to date.”
Watership has built a top-quality brand reputation through its commitment to classic outdoor styles that optimize weather and sun protection using advanced technical performance materials. They have developed several products using certified sun blocking fabric offering UPF50+ protection which conform to National Skin Cancer Foundation recommendations. Watership is also known for its Wind Performance Hats, which maintain shape and function in winds over 30 knots and Watership Sports Hats, including comfortable and functional sailing hats, paddle sport and fishing hats designed with the outdoor enthusiast in mind.
Greg Frechette commented “We are extremely excited about the opportunity Watership now has to reach the next level in product development, service and sales. We look forward to continuing our focus on design, quality and workmanship that has made our products successful for over 19 years.”
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nestled near the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado, Imperial Headwear has built a global reputation for quality, performance and value since 1916 as the leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality, customized, active lifestyle headwear and accessories to the golf, corporate, outdoor, tennis and selected private label markets.
Imperial Headwear Inc
Popular News
Leave your Comments
Editor’s Pick
Kimberly Morgan and Rik Veltman
K3 Business Technology Group PLC
Dr. Sameer Sood
National Institute of Fashion Technology
Esteemed Clients
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
