News

HALO Acquires Catalyst Marketing

Top 40 distributor HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) has acquired Seattle-based Catalyst Marketing, Inc. (asi/159067), the companies have announced. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Going forward, HALO will maintain Catalyst’s sales offices and graphic design capabilities, but will transfer select administrative and support functions to HALO’s headquarters in Illinois.

“Tom Havens has built an exceptional team offering creative services and promotional solutions with a unique model for our industry,” said Marc Simon, CEO of HALO, in a statement. “We look forward to providing additional operational and technology enhancements to Catalyst’s blue-chip client base.”

Havens, the president and founder of Catalyst – whose clients include the likes of Starbucks, Nike, Amazon, Southwest and Microsoft – will stay on with HALO in a leadership position. “HALO was able to allow us to maintain our creative capabilities and client-focused culture, while providing the resources necessary to expand our reach in the markets we serve,” Havens said. “We are excited for the growth opportunities our HALO relationship will provide to Catalyst clients and the Catalyst team.”

Counselor ranks HALO Branded Solutions as the fifth largest distributor in the industry with 2015 North American promotional product sales of $249.6 million.