Industry News

Industry News

With sadness we report that Count TonyCount Anton-

Wolfgang von Faber-Castell, known by all as Count Tony, died after a severe illness on the 21st of January surrounded by his family in Houston, TX. He lived to the age of 74 and lead the Faber-Castell company for nearly 40 years. He leaves his wife Mary, four grown children and 7,000 worldwide employees.

Mike Catanzarite
Mike Catanzarite

Michaels Companies Inc. announced on Feb. 2nd that it had bought Darice and Pat Catan’s parent company, Lamrite West Inc. for $150 million.  Lamrite West Chief Executive Officer Michael Catanzarite, whose father founded the company, will continue to lead his team as a unique brand under the Michaels corporate umbrella. The company was founded in Cleveland in 1954 and its headquarters are located in Strongsville, OH. “The acquisition of Lamrite West represents a unique opportunity to add a business to the Michaels portfolio that will strategically enhance our private brand development capabilities, accelerate our direct sourcing initiatives, and strengthen our business-to-business capabilities.” Michael’s CEO Chuck Rubin explained in the company’s press release.

Patrick Giraud & Andrew Daler
Patrick Giraud & Andrew Daler

Electra Private Equity has sold its stake in Daler-Rowney to the FILA Group, a Milan Italy publically traded producer of writing instruments and art supplies. Fila purchased 100% of the share capital of Renoir Topco. Ltd., the holding company that controls the Daler-Rowney Lukas Group for around $90 million. The company has annual revenues of $80 million and over 700 employees worldwide. Daler-Rowney began life in 1763 when Richard and Thomas Rowney began selling perfume and wig powder in London, before later moving to art supplies. It was family-owned until Patrick Giraud, the current chief executive, bought the Berkshire-based firm in 2005.

Jin Takemura
Jin Takemura

Jin Takemura of Itoya of America has announced that his brother Don will be stepping into the role of president of the company to allow him to concentrate on treatments he is undergoing to beat colo-rectal cancer. In addition to the cancer therapy, Jin’s top priority will still be toward the growth and success of Itoya. 

Michael Hammer
Michael Hammer

The rep group Sampro headed by Michael Hammer has been engaged by Canson to represent their art papers line in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states.

Travel web site gogobot.com has named the most artistic mid-sized cities in America. They are Richmond, VA, Boise, ID, Ann Arbor, MI, Dayton, OH, Pasadena, CA, Santa Rosa, CA, Ventura, CA, Tacoma, WA, Burbank, CA and Berkeley, CA in that order Check it out!

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