W.C. Bradley Co. has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquirethe Van Staal brand and products from Reel Ventures, LLC., addingthe gear line to it’s recently acquired Zebco fishing tacklebusiness. Van Staal provides premium saltwater fishing tackle. Thetransaction should close by September 30, 2003.
Zebco was purchased by W.C. Bradleyin June of 2001 and since that time there have been steadyinvestments in research and development, new product development,product quality and customer service. At the 2003 ICAST trade show,Zebco launched its first Quantum Performance Tuned line of inshoresaltwater tackle. The acquisition of Van Staal adds a super-premiumsaltwater brand of reels and accessories.
Tim Horne, President and COO of theW.C. Bradley Co. Home Leisure Group said, “When we purchasedZebco, we intended it to be a platform company around whichcomplementary acquisitions would support the business’ growthplans. This is now underway.”
The Van Staal brand originated insurf fishing in the Northeast and is known for a line of fullymachined and sealed spinning reels retailing for $500-$600 andtitanium pliers retailing for $200-$300. Recently Van Staal hasalso introduced fully machined and sealed saltwater fly reels underthe CVEX name retailing for $400-$600.
