HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000), the second-largest distributor in the promo industry, has acquired Think It Then Ink It, based in Middleton, WI. Financial terms of the deal weren’t released.
Jim Stutz, executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development at HALO, said the company is excited to support Think It Then Ink It with “HALO’s extensive resources and expertise, fostering further innovation and growth.” He added that the Wisconsin firm “brings a fresh, innovative approach that has already made them a valued partner to their clients.”
Think It Then Ink It will maintain its current staff and operate under the name Think It Then Ink It Powered by HALO, according to the two companies.
The acquisition is an exciting prospect for Billy Van Wie, president of Think It Then Ink It. “Joining HALO offers us a remarkable opportunity to enhance our operational capabilities and technology, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients,” he said. “This collaboration with HALO’s industry experts will allow us to focus more intensely on our core mission: exceptional service to our customers.”
This is HALO’s second acquisition this year. In April, the distributor acquired Star Promotions, based in Jackson, WI, with executives touting the 25-plus-year-old firm’s creativity and innovation. Over the last decade, HALO has undertaken an aggressive M&A strategy, acquiring multiple Counselor Top 40 distributors, including BrandVia in 2022.
M&A activity, in general, has been strong this summer, including several high-profile announcements this week, with Counselor Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358) acquiring fellow Top 40 firm alphabroder (asi/34063), bringing together two of the largest suppliers in the promo industry. And Counselor Top 40 distributor Geiger (asi/202900) continued its strategic expansion into the European market with the acquisition of Brandelity Ltd. in Windsor, U.K.
With 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $937.7 million, HALO ranked second on Counselor’s most recent list of the top distributors in the industry. The distributor employs more than 1,900 people across 37 global offices and has a client roster that includes more than 115 Fortune 500 companies, as well as thousands of mid- and small-sized organizations.
