Delta Apparel Inc has agreed to buy graphics apparel business Art Gun Technologies LLC in a move that takes it into the customized apparel market for the first time. Through its “virtual art studio,” Art Gun provides shoppers the ability to design apparel products by choosing different styles, colors and graphics to create their customized garment. Terms were not disclosed.
In a statement, Delta, which owns M. J. Soffe, Junkfood Clothing Co. and To The Game, said Art Gun's unique software application can be fully integrated into any company's e-commerce platform, allowing Art Gun to manage the entire process from web design and integration to digitally printing and shipping the garment.
With the first “Design a Tee Studio” launched in October 2009, Delta Apparel said Art Gun is in its infancy and it anticipates the business will not have significant revenue during at least the first twelve months after acquisition. But it also noted that Art Gun is currently in discussions with other large companies with strong e-commerce platforms for utilization of its software and services.
“We are excited to acquire what we think is one of the most compelling new ideas to emerge for the retail industry in some time,” said Delta Apparel's Chairman and CEO Robert W. Humphreys. “Art Gun dovetails with our existing operations and provides us with a direct entre into what we believe is a $1 billion customized apparel market. At the same time, Art Gun brings with it exciting technology, expertise in digital printing and a strong management team that we believe provides new growth opportunities for Delta Apparel, Inc.”
