Brand Division Ltd acquires TomatoSource®
to consolidate its position as a
leading supplier of promotional marketing products and services
Brand Division has acquired Tomato Source Limited* to further strengthen its position as an established leader in the promotional merchandise marketplace. Brand Division uses several trading names to successfully target various industry sectors with promotional products and services.
Discussions have been taking place over the last 12 months, culminating in the acquisition of TomatoSource® by Brand Division in May 2010. Tomato Source Limiteds Directors, Emma Beeson and Sophie Howes, have joined Brand Division Directors, Matt Franks and Miles Lovegrove, on the companys main board.
Brand Division Ltd is the parent company of Fluid Branding, Chilli Source* and now Tomato Source Ltd. This strategic acquisition will enable the Directors to each focus on their strengths, the sum of which will see the various arms of Brand Division quickly building on their current success to consolidate their positions as leaders in their individual market sectors of the promotional marketing industry, and will collectively make Brand Division a leading force in the industry, leveraging increased buying power and supplying a wider client base.
The alliance will also give the company complete control over the entire supply chain. Clients can expect to benefit from the latest innovative products, competitive pricing and a customer experience second to none. Resources within the group have already been strengthened (a new member of the artwork studio team and an additional administrator) to handle the anticipated growth in business in the coming months.
TomatoSource® has built up an enviable reputation within the promotional merchandise industry as a high-end creative merchandise supplier, with an ability to truly understand their clients merchandise needs and add significant value to their clients marketing team.
By contrast, Fluid Brand has grown to a substantial level by handling large volumes of more regular merchandise, but lacked the ability to nurture some of the larger accounts, which require a more personal relationship and the supply of bespoke products. With the sourcing and logistics side of the business being catered for in-house by Chilli Source, there is a perfect synergy between the three companies.
Commenting on the development, Matt Franks, Co-Founder and Director of Brand Division said, “The acquisition of Tomato Source is a fantastic move forward for Fluid Branding and associated companies within the group. Tomato Source brings us a wealth of agency experience, creative talent and high level account management, further strengthening the established team and resources at Fluid Branding”.
Emma Beeson, Director of Tomato Source and Brand Division added, “This is a great development – we are absolutely delighted to have access to the established support services of Brand Division, which will leave Sophie and I to do what we do best – major brand account acquisition and handling.”
Future Plans
Fluid Branding and Tomato Source will be co-exhibiting at Incentives & Promotional Marketing – Live! to be held at the NEC in September 2010.
The companies will continue to operate from separate offices, Fluid Branding in Cornwall and TomatoSource® in Bristol, giving the team a better geographical spread with Bristol having easy access to the M4/M5, facilitating easy travel to key accounts.
Visuals attached:
Pic of the board of Brand Division: L to R
Back row Miles Lovegrove & Matt Franks
Front row: Sophie Howes & Emma Beeson
Fluid Branding & TomatoSource® high res logos available by return>
Editors Note:
*TomatoSource® is a specialist sourcing agency which delivers innovative and individual promotional merchandise which maintains the client brands ethical integrity. Directors Emma Beeson and Sophie Howes bo