Collegiate Pacific Acquires Kesslers Team Sports

Sports equipment manufacturer Collegiate Pacific, Dallas, announced that it has executed a letter of intent to acquire Kesslers Team Sports, Richmond, Ind. With annual sales of more than $30 million, Kesslers is the nation's largest independent team sporting goods distributor. Brothers Bob, Phil and Dan Dickman, owners and officers of Kesslers, will continue in their existing positions as president, vice president and treasurer, respectively. Terms of the transaction, expected to close early next year, were not disclosed.

According to Michael Blumenfeld, CEO of Collegiate Pacific, the proposed combination marks the first time in the sporting goods industry that brand name team uniforms, proprietary equipment and a field sales force will be consolidated under one roof.

"The combined entity will enable the Kesslers sales force to provide a one-stop equipment and team uniform service to thousands of existing and potential Kessler's customers," he said in a statement.

Kesslers has eight regional offices and 65 sales people. It is a leading distributor for some of the highest profile team uniform brands. It also operates a screen printing and embroidery business with 31 Tajima embroidery heads (visit EMBmag.com for an exclusive interview with Phil Dickman, vice president, Kesslers Sport Shop). Collegiate Pacific sells more than 3,000 products to a growing base of 35,000 customers, according to the company.

Blumenfeld estimated combined revenues would approach $70 million. He also said Collegiate Pacific would evaluate other potential acquisitions and strategic affiliations. "Targets will include wholesale team dealers with active sales forces, manufacturers and distributors of institutional sports products and competitors in our own niche within the sporting goods industry," he said.