News

Advantus Corp. Affiliate Acquires OttLite

Jacksonville, FL (October 25, 2023) – An affiliate of Advantus Corp. has acquired certain assets of OttLite Technologies, Inc., further strengthening and diversifying our product offering within the craft, hobby, home, and office channels.

For over 30 years, OttLite has been the go-to lighting brand for crafters, sewers, readers, and anyone seeking natural daylight illumination. OttLite’s lamps showcase colors with incredible accuracy and are designed to reduce glare and eyestrain. From desk and floor lamps to magnifying options, OttLite’s products feature smart technology like USB ports, wireless charging, and color modes to deliver the ultimate customized lighting experience.

“We’re thrilled to add OttLite’s innovative lighting solutions to our portfolio of brands,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus Corp.

Advantus Corp. Acquires Charles Leonard, Inc.

Jacksonville, FL (March 1, 2023) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announced today that it has acquired Charles Leonard, Inc., a leading provider of school, office and art supplies.

“We are very excited to welcome Charles Leonard to the Advantus family,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus. “Charles Leonard’s products are a great complement to our existing portfolio, and we look forward to continuing serving their customers with the high level of quality and service they have come to expect.”

“It’s time to turn over the reins to a company that can carry our name forward with pride,” said David Hirsch, President of Charles Leonard, Inc. “This acquisition is a perfect match and we are thrilled to be able to continue our commitment to providing a broad range of creative, quality products to our customers.”

Advantus Corp. Continues Growth Path with Artistic Products, LLC Acquisition

Jacksonville, FL (December 13, 2021) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announces that it has acquired certain assets of Artistic Products LLC, including the Artistic, NuDell, and Timekeeper brands.

Rooted in the office products industry, Advantus has acquired over twenty companies in various product categories. “Advantus’ strategy has always been growth and continuous improvement. The acquisition of Artistic Products keeps us on our growth path and enhances our competitive position in the office products channel,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus Corp. “Advantus’ long history and stellar reputation in the office products industry have always aligned with our values. These core brands will continue to flourish under new leadership,” said Rich Leifer, CEO of Artistic Products, LLC. Artistic will retain all other product lines, including Softalk and LED signs, and continue to operate out of Hauppauge, New York, under a new name.

Advantus Corp. Completes Asset Purchase of Victory Light

Jacksonville, FL (May 28, 2021) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announces it has acquired specific assets of Victory Light USA LLC, a designer and developer of office and decor products, including home and office lighting, document frames and clocks.

Based in Franklin Park, Illinois, the purchase of Victory Light further increases Advantus’s market presence in the Office Product channel. “The addition of Victory Light further diversifies and expands our extensive office products portfolio,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus Corp. “I have every confidence Advantus will be an excellent steward of the legacy our team has worked to build over the past twenty-two years. The synergies between the two companies makes Advantus the ideal partner to guide Victory’s next chapter of growth and success,” said Peter Koehler, President of Victory Light.

Victory Light will continue operating out of Franklin Park temporarily. Over the next few months, operations will move to Advantus corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, FL. “We look forward to integrating Victory Light and will work diligently to provide a seamless transition and maintain the level of service our customers have grown to expect,” said Harry Chernek, Executive Vice-President of the Office Products division of Advantus.

Advantus Corp. Acquires Art 101

Jacksonville, FL (January 11, 2021) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announces it has acquired Art 101, a premier designer and manufacturer of art sets and supplies. As part of the agreement, Advantus will acquire both the Dallas, Texas and Hong Kong operations.

Over the past decade, Art 101 has earned an excellent reputation for quality creative tools and art supplies for artists of all ages and experience levels. Best known for its extensive art sets, Art 101 also offers a variety of DIY kits, paints, brush pens, markers, and colored pencils. “Advantus is an ideal home for us,” said Rett Hardin, President and Co-Founder of Art 101. “Their diverse customer base will allow us to continue on our path to bring innovative products to market and grow our business.”

Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus, says that the company intends on expanding on Art 101’s success. “This is an exciting new chapter in the growth of Advantus,” says Carpenter. “We are thrilled to add Rett and his team to the Advantus family.”

The Art 101 team will continue to operate from Dallas, Texas and Hong Kong. “Customers can expect a seamless transition and the same quality product and service they have experienced with Art 101,” says Erica Maron, Executive Vice President of the Craft and Hobby Division of Advantus Corp.

For more information contact Rana Coggins, VP of Sales Administration & Marketing, at 904.482.0091 or rcoggins@advantus.com.

Advantus Corp. Acquires Licensed Military Souvenir Supplier

Jacksonville, FL (November 30, 2020) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, has acquired Hopkins Sales Company, a leading supplier of licensed souvenir and novelty gifts products.

Hopkins is known for a wide variety of licensed military souvenirs and novelty gifts, including brass keychains, logoed decals, bumper stickers, magnets, and mugs. The current product line will become an extension of Advantus’ existing brand, Mercury Tactical Gear. Zach Mitchell, executive vice-president of Advantus, said, “Hopkins is the perfect extension to the brand, and we are thrilled to continue to supply these popular products to our current military and retail partners.”

Advantus has purchased all assets and will continue operations from the corporate headquarters located in Jacksonville, Florida.

For more information contact Rana Coggins, VP of Sales Administration & Marketing, at 904.482.0091 or rcoggins@advantus.com.

Advantus Corp. Acquires Bluelounge

Jacksonville, FL (February, 16 2018) – Advantus Corp., a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announces it has acquired the assets of Bluelounge, a premier designer and manufacturer of cable management and related products.

Over the past decade, Bluelounge has earned an excellent reputation for innovation and design, including more than a dozen design awards, patents and distribution in over 46 countries. They are best known for cable management products, but have expanded their product line to include other solution-driven products with a strong emphasis on organization for smart phones, tablets and computers.

Advantus Corp. currently manufactures thousands of products in the office, home, craft and hobby, recreation and military channels. “Our goal is to continue to broaden our product portfolio to better serve our customers and support their growth,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus Corp. “The Bluelounge acquisition will complement our family of organizational products with intelligent, problem-solving solutions for today’s technology-driven world.”

“Advantus provides an ideal home for the Bluelounge products”, said Dominic Symons, Creative Director and Founder of Bluelounge. “Their position in Office Products and Home and Organizational Brands fit well with Bluelounge’s creative organizational products for the office and home.” President Colin Hurren adds, “There is tremendous synergy here and we look forward to introducing our worldwide distributors to Advantus and their products.”

For more information contact Rana Coggins, VP of Sales Administration & Marketing, at 904.482.0091 or rcoggins@advantus.com.

Advantus Corp. Acquires Wyla Inc.

Jacksonville, FL (September 1, 2017) – Advantus Corp., a manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, announces it has acquired the assets of Wyla Inc., a premier supplier of high quality tulle, lace and fabrics.

“Wyla Inc. has an excellent reputation in high quality, innovative products. Their focus is centered on the customer and providing on-trend, designer craft materials. With the new acquisition of Wyla Inc., we will continue our business growth and expand our product offering for our customers,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus.

Advantus Corp.’s rich manufacturing history of leading craft and hobby brands, such as Tim Holtz Idea-ology, Sulyn and Storage Studios perfectly complements Wyla Inc. With a shared belief in always putting customers first and creating dynamic products at reasonable prices, both companies feel that this union will only serve to further strengthen their commitment to their customers.

“We couldn’t be happier with Wyla Inc. becoming a part of the Advantus family,” said Charlene Wilkins Walls, Chief Operating Officer of Wyla Inc. “We could not have found a better fit. I’m confident Advantus is the right company to best service our customers and their needs now and far into the future,” said Jody Wiener, President of Wyla Inc.

For more information contact Rana Coggins, VP of Sales Administration & Marketing, at 904.482.0091 or rcoggins@advantus.com.

Advantus Corp. acquires Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Company

Jacksonville, FL (August 1, 2016) – Advantus Corp., a manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods, has acquired Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Company, a premier supplier of high quality luggage, sport and specialty bags, lockers and trunks for the military and retail product markets.

“Mercury Luggage has an excellent reputation in craftsmanship, quality and fair pricing. Their focus is centered on the customer. We look forward to continuing and building on this tradition to develop and deliver great products with great service to our current and new customers,” said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus.

Advantus Corp.’s rich product manufacturing history, with product lines dating back to 1913, perfectly complements Mercury Luggage and Seward Trunk’s legacy of manufacturing high quality luggage and trunks since 1878. With a shared belief in always putting customers first, both companies feel that this union will only serve to further strengthen their commitment to their customers.

“We couldn’t be happier with Mercury Luggage becoming a part of the Advantus family,” said Andy Pradella, president of Mercury Luggage. “I could not have found a better company and team, and I’m confident Advantus is the right company to best service our customers and their needs now and far into the future.”

Mercury Luggage and Seward Trunk Company will continue to operate out of their current facilities.

About Mercury

Founded in 1946, Mercury Luggage Mfg. Co. is a privately owned corporation based in Jacksonville, Florida, with total domestic warehouse and manufacturing space exceeding 300,000 square feet. In 1998, Mercury acquired Seward Trunk Co. of Petersburg, VA which began business in 1878 and grew to be the largest domestic manufacturer of trunks and luggage in the United States. Mercury employs over 100 people in the United States and has a trading office in Taiwan. Mercury has established itself as a premier supplier of high quality luggage, sport bags, trunks and cases to major corporations, pro and college sports teams and top retail shops throughout the United States.

For more information contact Rana Coggins, VP of Sales Administration & Marketing, at 904.482.0091 or rcoggins@advantus.com.