Suppliers Strengthen Services With New Acquisitions

Vicki M. Young
·4 min read

On Wednesday, Avery Dennison, Material Exchange and OpSec Group disclosed deals aimed at transforming how they do business.

Avery Dennison

After it acquired apparel brand embellishments manufacturer Lion Brothers earlier this year, Avery Dennison has signed an agreement to acquire Silver Crystal Group in a transaction expected to close in the last quarter of 2023. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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“Together, I am confident we will create a force that will continue to develop the embellishment category and deliver for key customers and stakeholders every step of the way,” Michael Barton, Avery’s senior vice president and general manager, Apparel Solutions, said.

Toronto-headquartered Silver Crystal is an established player in sports apparel customization and application across in-venue, direct-to-business and e-commerce platforms. It has revenues of $30 million, and operates a distribution center in Buffalo, N.Y. The company is known for Fanzones, an in-venue on-demand customization solution which is used in 400-plus outlets within major leagues and key retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. It is also used to create product innovations for well-known brands and companies.

Avery Dennison said the acquisition will grow its “high-value external embellishments segment,” and expand the Embelex solutions portfolio, a full-service, end-to-end platform for on-product branding, graphics and trims.

“We look forward to the enormous possibilities this collaboration brings to the future of the industry,” said Adam Crystal, CEO.

Silver Crystal will become part of Avery Dennison’s Solutions Group when the deal is finalized.

Material Exchange

Material Exchange acquired Italian textile sourcing consultant Overseas Textile Service (OTS) last month.

According to Material Exchange, which launched a deadstock depot in April, the OTS deal gives “both businesses a more global presence across the fashion industry.” The transaction brings the fashion industry “one step closer to true digitization.”

“By joining Material Exchange, we can use their technology. Digital fabrics are the future and the support we can get on this from Material Exchange is exciting,” said Denis Dotto, OTS partner. “We also get to leverage an international company with international connections. We’d like to bring our concept to the U.S., the U.K., and beyond—Material Exchange will help us do that.”

With four decades in international fashion—Dotto and Marco Dase founded OTS in 2009—the firm specializes in supporting apparel brands in their production development through the entire process from the initial design phase to the final product. It also operates a showroom stocked with thousands of garments to inspire brands during the creative process. Clients include Dolce & Gabbana and the United Colors of Benetton and it has also supplied employee uniforms to McDonald’s.

Dotto said digital tools will save time and money and that the change “needs to happen.” Material Exchange’s digital capabilities help fashion brands become “more efficient, transparent, sustainable.”

“OTS is one of the best at what they do—they’ve got decades of valuable knowledge paired with a network of contacts from some top brands and suppliers,” Material Exchange CEO Darren Glenister said.

OpSec Group

Global IP management and brand protection solutions firm OpSec Group said it has completed the acquisition of Global Trim Sales Inc.

Based in Orange County, Calif., Global Trim provides premium trim such as labels, hangtags, heat transfers, patches and packaging to the fashion and apparel industry. Founded by CEO Hersh Cherson in 1995, Global Trim works with brands across luxury and designer fashion, sports and lifestyle apparel and licensed goods. OpSec takes a forward-looking approach to brand enhancement and protection, said Cherson, adding that the Global Trim team aims to help Selva and OpSec to “develop the next generation of exceptional, innovative trim solutions.”

“Global Trim has demonstrated a track record in crafting components that portray authenticity, as well as the instincts and responsiveness required to work with brands of the highest caliber,” OpSec CEO Dr. Selva Selvaratnam said.

OpSec said that David Cherson, vice president sales, and Lori Griffin, vice president operations, will continue to lead day-to-day activities at Global Trim. It added that the focus of the combined teams will include “exploring the possibilities that new materials, technologies, and design offer for enhancement, authentication, and consumer engagement,” among other goals.

OpSec Group helps clients protect the value of their identities, ideas, and assets using tech-enabled services, products and solutions.

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