Key Takeaways
• SoCal Deal: Los Angeles-based PromoShop (asi/300446) has acquired Del Mar, CA-headquartered JR Resources (asi/232638), both firms that take an agency-style approach to service.
• Joining Forces: JR employees are coming aboard at PromoShop, with JR rebranding as “JR Resources, a PromoShop Company.”
• M&A Overdrive: The deal marks another acquisition in what’s been a momentous year for mergers and acquisitions in promo.
Counselor Top 40 firm PromoShop (asi/300446) may be one of the merch industry’s biggest distributors, but the Los Angeles-based company prides itself on taking a personalized, boutique agency-style approach to supporting clients.
So, too, does Del Mar, CA-headquartered distributorship JR Resources (asi/232638), executives said. That’s a key reason why, company leaders from both firms asserted, JR decided to join forces with PromoShop.
On Monday, Nov. 18, the distributors formally announced that PromoShop has acquired JR Resources. All JR employees will be joining PromoShop – the largest owner-operated, minority-owned distributorship in the U.S. promotional products industry, executives said.
“We are thrilled to welcome JR Resources into the PromoShop family,” said PromoShop CEO Memo Kahan, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “This acquisition aligns with our vision of providing unparalleled service and innovative solutions to our clients. Together, we will continue to set new standards in the promotional products industry.”
Financial terms of the deal were not released. Going forward, JR Resources will go to market as “JR Resources, a PromoShop Company.”
“We are excited to join forces with PromoShop,” said JR President Wendy Williams, formerly owner of the firm. “With shared values and a commitment to excellence, we look forward to building a brighter future and continuing our legacy of trust and ingenuity.”
PromoShop noted that JR Resources has over three decades of experience in the branded merchandise business. While headquartered in Southern California, the company has employees across the United States, executives told ASI Media.
“By integrating JR Resources’ outstanding staff, 34 years of industry expertise and client portfolio, PromoShop is poised to deliver even greater value to our clients,” said PromoShop President Kate Alavez, a Counselor Power 50 member.
It’s been a momentous year for mergers and acquisitions in the promotional products industry. In addition to the abundance of deals, there’ve been several high-profile blockbuster acquisitions that involved one Counselor Top 40 company buying another.
As PromoShop’s acquisition of JR Resources shows, the M&A in promo is continuing in 2024’s final weeks. Kahan told ASI Media that more acquisitions could be in the cards for his firm down the line.
“We’re always looking for opportunities,” he said.
Based on reported 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $61.4 million, PromoShop ranked 34th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.
