FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ENCORE GROUP ACQUIRES FIGI GIFTWARE BUSINESS

 

San Diego, CA - The Encore Group has acquired the intellectual rights and properties of Figi, the 35-year old designer and marketer of general gifts, garden, seasonal and home décor products.

The acquisition includes all patents, trademarks, copyrights, brand names and customer information.  In addition to the Figi brand, the company also includes the popular Michel & Company brand of baby and special occasion gift lines; and J.W. Stannard line of windchimes.  The current Figi line also includes licensed giftware.

"The Figi name has earned the respect and loyalty of both retailers and consumers over nearly four decades, and we are proud to add the Figi brands to the Encore family," said Eldridge (Redge) Hanes, Encore Group Chairman.  "The intellectual and creative assets of Figi are an excellent fit with our current brands, as we continue to broaden our product offerings that afford our valued customers the benefits of one-stop shopping."

"I am delighted to see the Figi name back in the hands of true giftware professionals with the entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, experience, understanding and drive to put Figi back on top in the giftware industry," said Todd Figi.  "Having the Figi brand amongst so many other top brands such as United Design®, XPRES®, Living Stone®, Papel Giftware ® and Rawcliffe® will only serve to further strengthen the Encore lineup and its ability to serve our customers.   I have pledged my support to Encore President Rick Snow and the Encore team, and I could not be happier or more excited about the future of the company that bears my name."

"No decision has been made on how many of the Figi product lines will be incorporated into the Encore business plan," noted Hanes. "However, Encore is dedicated to maintaining and expanding on the relationships between itself and the thousands of fine Figi customers.

 

Hanes also announced that Debbie Galante, former Figi vice president of sales, and Colleen O'Neill, former director of product development, will be joining the Encore organization.  "We are pleased to have Debbie and Colleen on our team.  Their intimate knowledge of the giftware industry, plus their many years of experience with Figi, will be an invaluable asset to Encore," said Hanes.

The last acquisition by The Encore Group was in October 2004, when United Design became a part of the company, nearly doubling the product line and adding new gift and home décor categories.

In addition to Figi and United Design®,  Encore brands include Living Stone®, Rawcliffe®, XPRES®, Papel Giftware® and frame•ology®.  The brands are supported by an impressive lineup of licensed product and artist-driven lines, including Harley-Davidson®, NASCAR®, NFL, NCAA, Star Wars™, Lord of the Rings™, Looney Tunes®, Wyland®, Kathleen Kelly, Beasties of the Kingdom®, Keith Kimberlin and Dylan Scott Pierce, among others.

Encore has manufacturing facilities in Rhode Island and North Carolina, with corporate offices in California and North Carolina.  For more information, contact The Encore Group, 111 Cloverleaf Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, phone 1-800-334-0426.

 

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For more editorial information, contact:

Pat Shaw - PCSA - (815) 334-9019 or E-mail: patcshaw@aol.com