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Zebco purchases fishing line brands from Shakespeare
August 9
2007 5:00pm
Submitted: JIP
TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 9, 2007) - Zebco W.C. Bradley,
best known as a rod and reel company, has acquired four brands of fishing line
from Shakespeare Co. LLC of Columbia, S.C. The announcement was made today by
Zebco President Jeff Pontius upon completion of the transaction.
The purchased fishing line brands are Cajun Red,
Omniflex, Supreme and Outcast. Details of the acquisition are not being
disclosed.
Cajun line will now be part of
Zebco
"We are pleased to have this opportunity to enter the fishing line market,"
Pontius said. "The acquired business is a small but growing 'beachhead' for us
in the line market and we plan to expand on it over time."
The transaction is a result of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) decision.
Shakespeare's parent company, K2 Inc., is owned by Jarden Corp., which recently
acquired Pure Fishing Inc. Because Pure Fishing already has the leading market
position on fishing line with brands like Berkley Trilene, Stren and Spiderwire,
the FTC required Shakespeare to sell its fishing line business.
Outcast is another brand Zebco has
acquired
"We are excited about the line opportunities," said Bob Bagby, Zebco vice
president of marketing. "Cajun Red pioneered the idea of red line which quickly
becomes less visible in use since red is the first color absorbed by water. The
red line continues to grow in popularity and we’re confident we can further
build on its momentum."
Pontius expanded on the company's plans, saying that although transfer of
ownership to Zebco has already occurred, the change will not be apparent to
consumers for awhile as the existing inventory moves through distribution. "The
brands we acquired will remain the names on the product," he said. "They are
good, popular brands. The transition should be relatively seamless for all
customers."
Supreme and Omniflex are the other
two brands that Shakespeare sold
Zebco will ultimately move the line business to its facilities in Tulsa and
Claremore, Okla., but does not foresee any changes to its workforce needs over
this time.
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