Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA) has acquired supplier firm HumphreyLine (asi/62050). Financial terms of the transaction were not revealed, but HumphreyLine now becomes part of the family of supplier companies owned by PCNA, including Bullet (asi/42424), Journalbooks (asi/91340), Leed’s (asi/66887), Trimark Powered by Leed’s (asi/66888) and Trimark Sportswear Group (asi/92122).

“Over the past six years we’ve discussed with HumphreyLine’s owner, Mel Ellis, a variety of ways of working together,” said Jim Epstein, chief development officer of Polyconcept. “Earlier this year, the acquisition potential arose and together we moved quickly to close a deal. This aligned well with PCNA’s heightened interest in adding additional companies to our group through a stepped-up acquisition program.”

After the deal, Ellis will become a senior adviser for PCNA for a period, tasked with making sure the HumphreyLine transition to PCNA goes smoothly. He will also conduct sales and customer service training for the company, as well as participate in trade shows and website content development.

PCNA will now offer HumphreyLine’s full line of products including category expansions into USA-made health and wellness items. In addition, the acquisition will allow PCNA to offer new decorating capabilities including full-color labeling, offset printing and variable data capabilities.

“Products made in the USA have become an important offering in our industry,” said David Nicholson, president of PCNA. “As a fully integrated and specialized American manufacturer, HumphreyLine gives us the opportunity to provide our customers with the best selection of domestic products for their projects. The company’s impeccable reputation, as well as its dedication to quality and compliance, makes it a great addition to PCNA.”

HumphreyLine products will be offered exclusively through PCNA’s Bullet business unit. Orders, though, will continue to be manufactured, produced and fulfilled out of HumphreyLine’s existing Kentucky facility.

• Proforma Graphic Services Acquires Premier Graphic SolutionsColumbus, OH-based distributor Proforma Graphic Services (asi/300094) has acquired fellow Columbus company Premier Graphic Solutions (asi/298484). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but all of Premier’s employees will remain on staff following the transaction. “This acquisition is a big step in our continued growth and we are excited to work with Premier Graphic Solutions to build on the years of dedicated service they have provided their clients,” said Jeff Skinner, co-owner of Proforma Graphic Services. “The guidance we have received from Proforma’s Mergers & Acquisitions Team throughout the acquisition process has made it practically effortless for us to significantly increase our customer base, sales team and profits. Now we are going into 2015 poised to experience multimillion-dollar growth.”
  Founded in 1990, Premier will now be able to offer additional services such as e-commerce technology, direct mail and marketing programs to its clients. This is the fourth acquisition that Proforma’s Mergers & Acquisitions Team has completed for Proforma Graphic Services. Founded in 1996, Proforma Graphic Services has been included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for the past three years, and its owners have been members of Proforma’s Multimillion-Dollar Club since 2002.

• ASB Acquires Branding U Top 40 distributor American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075) has acquired Nashville, TN-based distributor Branding U (asi/145106). Financial terms of the transaction were not released. “This acquisition will be a growth-driver for both entities,” said Justin Zavadil, executive vice president of ASB. “ASB will provide many of the back office sales tools that BU needs to bring their business to the next level. Branding U will bring a wealth of sourcing experience to the table to be incorporated into ASB’s
  tool chest, benefiting ASB’s nationwide network of sales professionals.”
  Branding U, which is primarily a promotional products company, has been in business for nearly eight years and was ranked by Counselor this year as the eighth-fastest-growing distributor in the industry, with two-year sales growth of 84%. Russ Moore, president and CEO of Branding U, will now join ASB as director of strategic growth with responsibilities focused on a variety of initiatives with the company’s sales resource group.