Manchester-based Japinda, which was founded in 1952 and for over 40 years has manufactured luggage and associated travel goods under the well-known Constellation Luggage brand, supplies the likes of Argos, Dunnes, Sainsbury’s, TJ Hughes and Mackays.
This is the third acquisition made by Ultimate Products in the last twelve months as it focuses on growing its UK and international retail relationships.
The move follows the successful integration of Intempo - the UK’s largest seller of iPod/MP3 speakers, docking stations and DAB radios - and debut of its exclusively licensed Disney home wares range including Toy Story 3-branded products, which was also made possible through a later acquisition.
Under the direction of Ultimate Products’ Brand Director Bernadette Spofforth, the Constellation range will be re-launched and re-designed over the next three months in readiness for Spring/Summer 2011. Not only will it continue to provide traditional luggage collections, but also collections targeting the “cheerful, stylish, urban” 18-35 single travelling market.
Simon Showman, founder and Chief Executive of Ultimate Products, said: “The Constellation brand is well known amongst key retailers and has true heritage and a loyal following in the UK luggage market.
“We are now looking forward to the re-launch and unlocking new opportunities with our rapidly growing portfolio of UK and international retail clients.
"While we continue to grow organically, strategic acquisitions like this one will play an important role in our expansion into the future - with the backing of our main investor LDC and our bank HSBC, we are currently looking at a number of wider opportunities with key players that have strong product offerings and deep customer relationships.”
Simon Showman founded Ultimate Products in 1997 with partner Barry Franks (non executive director since 2005).
As well as designing and manufacturing products for major UK and international retailers, the company has developed its own highly successful brands including Inspire and Beldray. It also has a number of licensed brands under which it has exclusive rights, including housewares and fashion brands Anthony Worrall Thompson, Gino D’Acampo, Rosemary Shrager and Henleys.
Thanks to increased UK customer penetration, international growth and tactical acquisitions over the last three years, the business is now well on its way to achieving its £100m turnover target.
To achieve this goal, Ultimate’s expansion within Hong Kong and Mainland China is key. The company’s Hong Kong operation is now the “hub” for serving its international retail clients, with its Mainland China operation providing the robust supply chain and confidence needed to satisfy the ever growing needs of its entire retail client portfolio around the world.
Ultimate therefore plans to more than double the size of its Hong Kong and Mainland China operations over the next 12-18 months organically and potentially through acquisitions using its £15m injection from HSBC secured in September last year.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Ultimate Products by Citypress. Please contact Ruth Grundy on 0161 235 0307 or email: ruth@citypress.co.uk.