Plangea Inc., which specializes in making sun protection apparel for kids, has acquired the assets of Molehill Mountain Equipment, which focuses on making cold weather aparel for kids.


Plangea, owners of the sun protection clothing brands Tuga Sunwear and SunBusters, as well as PlayaPup pet brand, will continue to promote the Molehill Mountain Equipment brand which is focused on cold weather technical fashion for children, via retail and online channels.


Management teams of both companies are working on a smooth transition for Molehill customers to Plangea, and retailers are being contacted throughout the coming weeks. Both companies are committed to ensuring that fall shipments are delivered without a hitch.


“The addition of the Molehill Mountain brand under the Plangea fold will offer consumers and retailers year-round access to high quality, unique products,” said John Westgarth, CEO of Plangea. “Molehill’s well regarded fall/winter cold weather products are a perfect match with our spring/summer sun protection products. We are proud to add Molehill to our portfolio of brands which includes Tuga, SunBusters, Maillies, Maxout, Exosport, and Playapup.”
 
The combination of brands will create efficiencies in manufacturing, marketing and design – all helping to grow the business and keep the brands in a market leading position, Westgarth said.

Founded in 2002, Plangea Inc. was created to design and manufacture a range of sun protective products primarily for the children’s market, but increasingly also for adults. Recognizing the growing trend towards the use of UV blocking products as a result of increasing rates of skin cancer, the company aims to be a leader in the UV protective market. Under the brand TUGA and the sea turtle logo, the company markets products that block damaging ultra violet rays just like “the shell of a turtle.” A key part of Plangea’s mission is to educate consumers on the need to adopt safe sun practices.


Molehill Mountain Equipment, Inc was founded in 1994 to make and market products that enable, encourage, and enhance family participation in outdoor active lifestyles. Molehill endeavours to build technically advanced children’s outdoor gear that inspires families to live more balanced rewarding lives through experiencing the outdoors together.
“Plangea’s acquisition of Molehill Mountain Equipment represents the merging of two top outdoor brands for children,” said Douglas Faude, president of Molehill Mountain Equipment, Inc. “We are very excited that the Molehill brand will continue to grow as part of a bigger company with increased investment in design, and marketing strategies.


“We are proud to have built a successful business in the United States and around the world based on the highest quality products at friendly prices for our consumers,” Faude continued. “It has been a pleasure to play a role in developing the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and we look forward to seeing this work being carried on under the excellent management of Plangea. We thank our customers and partners for all their support over the years.”