New Ulm, Minnesota-based Beacon Promotions Inc. announced its acquisition of the Ready Reference Line of pocket and desk planners from MeadWestvaco Consumer & Office Products, a division of the Glen Allen, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corporation. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. All customer service, order processing, sales and imprinting will take place at the Beacon Promotions Inc. facilities in New Ulm, effective immediately. Beacon Promotions Inc. will offer The Old Farmer’s Almanac products through a separate licensing agreement with Yankee Publishing Inc., Dublin, New Hampshire.
Beacon Promotions Inc. president, Arthur Olsen, stated in an announcement to employees today, “The acquisition of the Ready Reference line is like adding a piece of history to our company. The Ready Reference line has been the industry leader in diaries and date books since 1904 and we intend to continue that proud tradition.” Olsen also indicated, “I expect the transition to go smoothly, as the planning process goes back several months. The Beacon staff is experienced in moving companies and getting them up and running quickly and efficiently.”
Gary Haley, senior vice president of sales for Beacon Promotions Inc., acknowledged the fine history associated with the Ready Reference brand and noted, “We are very pleased to be adding Sharon Schiffelhuber to our Beacon field staff as [vice president] of sales for the Eastern states.” Haley further added, “Sharon is well–known and respected across the country; she brings a valuable perspective to the Ready Reference business.”
Beacon Promotions Inc. will distribute a new calendar catalog, which will include the Ready Reference Line, by April 10, 2009.
About Beacon Promotions Inc.:
Beacon Promotions Inc. is a privately owned company started in 2003. Previous acquisitions include: Crowd Specialties, The Frontier Line and Four Star Incentives. The company’s catalog names are Beacon Brand Builders, Beacon-Ready Reference Calendar & Planner Line and Beacon Corporate Gifts.
For more information on Beacon Promotions Inc, visit www.beaconpromotions.com.
