Effective August 2015, Pro Towels, Pittsburgh, will acquire Richmond, British Columbia-based supplier Kanata Blanket Company.
“The addition of Kanata Blanket Company enables Pro Towels to become an even more diverse line, complementing our existing products perfectly and offering us an even greater presence in the fourth-quarter gift-giving season. We are now truly a company for all seasons,” said Kevin Nord, president of Pro Towels.
Kanata Blanket Company has been a part of the promotional products industry since 1993, specializing in blankets, décor and lifestyle products. It was the recipient of the Best Blanket Supplier award in the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards since the inception of this category.
“Kanata’s exceptional reputation within the promotional products industry for innovative products and outstanding service was one of the major factors in our decision to purchase them, mirroring our commitment to exceed customer expectations,” Nord added. Both the Pro Towels and Kanata Blanket Company brands will be maintained as well as their respective industry identifiers.
Fraser Mackay, president of Kanata Blanket Company, believes that the purchase by Pro Towels will enable each company to better serve its respective customer bases in the U.S. and Canada. “By combining our operational capabilities, product lines and geographic footprints, we will be able to provide excellence in every way to our distributor customers,” said Mackay. “This will be enhanced by East and West Coast U.S. distribution for faster lead times, and the Kanata facility in Canada offering the best-selling towels from Pro Towels to the Canadian market. This is an extremely exciting opportunity for Kanata, and we are very proud to become part of the dynamic Pro Towels organization.”
Mackay will continue to oversee Kanata Blanket Company in Canada as executive vice president, with no changes in operating direction planned as part of the sale. Brian Porter will expand his role as vice president of sales to cover both the U.S. and Canadian markets. Jessica McKinnon will remain as Canadian sales manager based in Richmond, British Columbia, and assisted by Devon Manwaring. Sharon Griffith will assume the role of vice president of marketing for both the U.S. and Canada.
For more information on Pro Towels, visit www.protowels.com. For more information on Kanata Blanket Company, visit www.kanatablanket.com.
