Investcorp acquires European and US leading companies in promotional gift products, Polyconcept and Global Promo Group

Polyconcept supplies a wide range of promotional, lifestyle and gift products to over 10,000 advertising specialty distributors across Europe, as well as to various retail channels. End-users range from large corporations to small enterprises and consumers. The company employs around 1,000 people in the United States, Europe and Asia, operating from main offices in the Netherlands, France and Hong Kong.

Global Promo Group, based in the United States, is comprised of two wholly owned subsidiaries, Leed's and Marlow International, employing 900 people. Leed's, also based in the United States, is a leading supplier of a broad range of promotional products and gifts to 20,000 advertising specialty distributors within the North American market. End users range from large corporations to small companies and social organizations. Marlow International is Hong Kong based, with sales offices throughout Europe, Africa, South America, and the Asia Pacific region, selling a diverse range of products to a global customer base.

Chief Operating Officer of Investcorp, Gary Long, said: "When we acquired Polyconcept in April our investment thesis was to become the global leader in the advertising specialty field. This, we said, would be achieved by working with a proven, superior business model based on market leadership, a strong sourcing platform in Asia and a committed management team. With the GPG acquisition this week, we have succeeded in completing a very important step in the value creation process by creating an immediate global leader.

"The combined company is now ideally positioned to capitalize on its fantastic sourcing capacity in Asia and innovative product development and excellent customer service. This will be a key factor for success," added Mr. Long.